Laverne I. Bair

LaVerne Irene (Keas) Bair passed away Monday, March 30, 2015 at Redbud Village in Plainville, Kansas at the age of 89. She was born on May 29, 1925 in Rooks County, Kansas to William Alfred “Bill” and Grace Lorene (Westhusin) Keas. LaVerne grew up on the family farm near Twin Mounts in Rooks County and graduated from Plainville High School with the Class of 1943. On October 16, 1942 she was united in marriage to Archie L. Bair in Plainville. They were blessed with two sons, David and Mike. LaVerne was a wife, mother, and homemaker, but also worked jobs outside of the home. She began working for Green’s Bridal in Plainville and later in the school cafeteria before becoming a dental technician for Dr. Bob Andreson. As Archie’s job began to move them around, she went to work as an optometrist aid in Hutchinson, the City Clerk’s office in Russell, and bookkeeping for People’s Bank in Pratt until she retired. Following retirement, LaVerne and Archie began to camp and travel more in their motor home. A favorite location was the Blue Mesa Reservoir near Gunnison, Colorado. Of all the places LaVerne traveled and all the things that she did, the greatest love and joy of her life was her family. When they were young, every Sunday after church the whole family would go to Granddad’s house to have lunch and spend time together. These, and other family gatherings, were the times she treasured the most. LaVerne is survived by her sons David Bair and wife Leila of Wilson, and Mike Bair and wife Alice of Longmont, CO; sisters Farrell McClay and husband Max of Springfield, MO, and Karen Preston of Phillipsburg; sisters-in-law Genette Keas of Plainville, and Gena Lee Keas of Palco; grandchildren Stacey Hart and husband Tim of Beulah, CO, and Trevor Bair and wife Sarah of Longmont, CO; great-grandchildren Devin Hart and wife Megan, Aneysa Hart, Connor Bair, Caleb Bair, Thorn Dramstad, Wes Westhusin, Stephanie Lodato, Kyrie Bair, Madison Leigh Glass, and Kara Jo Lodato; and great-great-grandson Troy Lee Hart. She was preceded in death by her parents Bill and Grace Keas, husband Archie Bair, brothers Gene Keas, Glenn “Buck” Keas, and Jakie Keas, brother-in-law Lanny Preston, and grandsons Stephen Bair, and Travis Bair. LaVerne was a woman of faith, hope, and love. She leaves a legacy that will live on in the hearts and lives of her family and everyone who knew her. Indeed she showed us by her own daily example that the greatest of these is love. Reception: First Christian Church