LaVerne E. Bean

LaVerne Bean, 95, of Elwood, died December 17, 2012 at the Lexington Regional Health Center. LaVerne was born June 18, 1917 to William and Mabel (DeVol) Lantz near Smithfield, NE. Her family moved to the Lantz family homestead south of Lexington when she was 11. She grew up on the farm and attended District #3 Robb country school and graduated from Lexington High School in 1935. She won a scholarship to Midland College in Fremont, NE and worked in the college bookstore there while getting her secretarial certificate. She worked for Bates and Neff Law Offices, then at W.A. Stewart, Attorneys in Lexington. LaVerne married Burwin B. Bean on November 20, 1940 in Norton, KS. Burwin worked for Central Nebraska Public Power District at Jeffrey Lake near Brady, NE. During World War 2, Burwin enlisted in the Army and they moved to Ft. Belvoir, VA. Burwin was transferred to Brownwood, TX, where LaVerne worked at the Rent Control Office. Burwin was transferred overseas in 1945. LaVerne then moved back to Lexington and worked as a secretary for Dr. Ray S. Wycoff. In 1946 Burwin returned from Japan and they moved back to Jeffrey Lake where he worked for the power company. In 1948, they welcomed their first daughter, Mary Grace, and Burwin was transferred to Johnson #1 Power Plant near Johnson Lake. In 1951, Burwin was called back to the Military during the Korean War. He was stationed at Camp McCoy, Wisc., then later at Ft. Riley, KS. They then returned to Johnson #1 after he was released from active duty. In 1957, Burwin was transferred to the Canaday Steam Plant south of Lexington, and they welcomed the birth of their second daughter, Lisa. In 1974, the family moved to Lake McConaughey, where Burwin was Superintendent at Kingsley Dam, near Ogallala. LaVerne worked greeting new families for Welcome Wagon, and delivering gifts from local merchants. Burwin retired in 1984 and they moved to Elwood, NE. LaVerne and Burwin both enjoyed travelling, and made three trips to Hawaii, eight cruises to the Caribbean Islands, the Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Canada, Alaska, Panama Canal and took their children and grandchildren on a cruise to Mexico. They also enjoyed traveling to Husker football games in Lincoln, and also to out of state games in places like Colorado, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Hawaii. LaVerne enjoyed gardening, bird watching, raising butterflies and growing flowers. She belonged to Garden club, Clio club, United Methodist Women""s club, the Elwood United Methodist Church, and the American Legion Auxiliary. In 1990, they celebrated their 50th anniversary. Burwin passed away shortly before their 64th anniversary in 2004. LaVerne continued to live at their home in Elwood. She enjoyed water aerobics at the Eustis pool, spending time in Lincoln with her daughters and grandchildren, and going on a Caribbean cruise in 2010 with her daughter Mary and son-in-law Charlie. In the spring of 2012, LaVerne moved to the Elwood Care Center Assisted Living, where she enjoyed participating in all their many activities. LaVerne was preceded in death by her husband, Burwin, her sister, Mildred Phillips, and her brother, Harold Lantz. LaVerne is survived by her brother Dean Lantz of Springfield, MO., her two daughters, Mary Grace Hossaini (and husband Charlie Linkugel) and Lisa Hively (and husband Ed Hively), all of Lincoln, NE. LaVerne is also survived by four grandchildren: Sara Hossaini (and husband Ryan Ikeda) of Laramie, Wyoming , Roya Hossaini (and fiancé Sam Oakley) of San Francisco, CA , Corey Hively, and Kelsey Hively (and fiancé Dave Van Klaveren) of Lincoln, NE, also many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at the Elwood United Methodist Church, Elwood, NE on Saturday, December 29th, at 11:00 a.m. Suggested memorials are to the Elwood United Methodist Church, and the Elwood Senior Center. Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad is in charge of arrangements.