Obituary of Esther Laverenz

Longtime Burlington, Colorado resident Esther Laverenz, age 70, died Wednesday April 28, 2010 at the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital in Burlington. Esther was born May 28, 1939, on the family farmstead, in Gove County Kansas. She was one of twelve children born to Frank A. and Applonia (Schaffer) Weber. She attended and graduated from Oakley High School in Oakley, Kansas. She met John Laverenz while both were working at the hospital in Colby. He would ask her to marry him on Valentine’s Day 1958. On August 6, 1958 Esther and John Henry Laverenz were united in marriage at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Oakley. To this union four children were born; Darla, Marty, Duane and Darrin. In 1965 the family moved to Burlington. John would work as a mechanic, Esther worked as a housekeeper for several local motels and followed all her kids activities. She would also help out at her brother Charlie’s bowling alley in Goodland. She and John also bowled in leagues there. Esther enjoyed following her kids sporting events. She established the concession stand at baseball games and would use the proceeds to help buy new uniforms for the team. Preceding Esther in death were her parents, her loving husband of fifty years, John. Her brothers Adolf, Leonard and Bill, sisters Viola Weiser and Florina Schuster. Those left to cherish her memory are her children Darla Laverenz of Burlington, CO, Marty Laverenz and wife Beth of Centennial, CO, Duane Laverenz of Burlington, CO, and Darrin Laverenz and wife Peggy of Strasburg, CO. Ten grandchildren Crystal Pace, Casey Pace, Chad Pace, Shane Laverenz, Abby Laverenz, Jamee Laverenz, Mason Spalding, Mike Spalding, Cassandra Spalding, and Colton Laverenz. Also surviving are her sister Mary Garnhart of Limon, CO, and brothers Ron Weber of Goodland, KS, Benny Weber and wife Kathy of St. Francis, KS, Delbert Weber and Lois of Henderson, NV, Rudy Weber and wife Violet of La Crosse, KS, and Charlie Weber and wife Eunice of Goodland, KS. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and many special friends.