LaVerne M. Laubenstein (nee Kirchner), 83, passed away on Tuesday, March 12, 2013. She was born on Jan. 15, 1930, to the late Oscar and Alma (nee Ramel).

She worked at West Bend Company before starting a family. After her children were grown, she worked at Regal Ware and then Bend Industries from 1977 until her retirement in 1995. She enjoyed polka dancing, flower gardening, shopping, playing sheepshead, going to toy shows and doll collecting, and loved red cardinals. She cherished time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and watching them grow up. She enjoyed long phone conversations with her children.

She is survived by her loving children Karen (Robert) Neja of West Bend, Susan (Dennis) Gabor of West Bend, Debra (Harold) Stark of Watertown, Brian (Rene) of West Bend, and Brenda (Gregory) Neill of West Bend; cherished grandchildren Bill (Bridget) Neja, Andrew Neja, Christopher Neja, Craig (Ann) Gabor, Cory (Megan) Gabor, Paul (Michelle) Gabor, Michael (Tiffany) Stark, Matthew Stark, Lucas (Lisa) Stark, Katelyn Stark, Jeffrey Neill, and Ross Neill; and adored great-grandchildren Gavan, Kolton, and Asher Stark, and Joshua and Jenna Gabor; brothers Orin, Wilton, Elton (Beverly) Kirchner; brother-in-law Howard (Shirley) Laubenstein; and sisters-in-law Elmyra (David) Martin, Elvera Voss, and Frieda Laubenstein. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Roman on Jan. 29, 2013; brother Marvin Kirchner; sister Arline Brown; sisters-in-law Lila, Lorinda, and Patricia Kirchner, Angie and Bernice Laubenstein; brothers-inlaw Charles Voss, and Elroy, Marvin and Armin Laubenstein.

The funeral service will be on Saturday, March 16, 2013, at 1 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church (809 S. Sixth Ave., West Bend). The visitation will be at church on Saturday, March 16 from 11 a.m. until the time of service at 1 p.m. Entombment will take place at Washington County Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (620 S. 76th St., Suite 160, Milwaukee, WI 53214-1549).

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to staff of both Ivy Manor and Grace Hospice for their care and compassion for LaVerne.

The Phillip Funeral Home of West Bend is assisting the family; (262) 338-2050 / www.phillipfuneralhome.com.