in memoriam

expanded eulogies

LaVerna Hess

LaVerna R. “Vernie” Hess was born July 27, 1939, in Newton, Kansas, the daughter of Niels J. and Mary Ethel (Wilber) Madsen. Vernie grew up in the Peabody community, graduating from Peabody High School.

She was united in marriage to Joe D. Hess on July 27, 1956, in Peabody. The couple eventually settled in Abilene, where Vernie worked as a secretary in the corporate office of Duckwall-Alco for 22 years before retiring.

Mrs. Hess passed away Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, at Memorial Hospital in Abilene.

She is survived by her loving husband, Joe, of the home; daughters Brenda Mohamed and husband, Amr, of Bullhead City, Arizona; Rhonda Johnson and husband, Peter, of Abilene; Cheri Hess of Tazewell, Virginia; and Julie Rowe and husband, Randy, of Salina, Kansas; son Andrew Hess and wife, Jennifer, of Abilene; sister Eddie Hiebert and husband, Robert, of Abilene; eight grandchildren, Lori, Megan, Drew, Jason, Jenna, Claudia, Parker, Carson; and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by brothers Walt, Stan, Lawrence, Bob, Willard, Earl, and Art; and sister Martha.

Funeral services were Tuesday, October 17, 2017, at Emmanuel Methodist Church in Abilene. Interment was at Abilene Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Emmanuel Methodist Church or Hospice of Dickinson County and may be sent in care of Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home, 414 NW 3rd St., Abilene KS 67410. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.martinbeckercarlson.com.