Emily Laverne Amend was born April 23, 1925 on the family farm, the daughter of Joseph S. and Lola E. (Tibbits) Patton.  She was the third of four children.

After a brief illness, Laverne was able to return to her home with care provided by Sarah, Kathy, Gail and other family members.  It was at her home, in her own time, she passed away on Tuesday evening, April 29, 2014.  She was 89 years old.

Laverne was a  retired educator, minister’s wife and homemaker.  She graduated from Caldwell High School in 1943 and attended Northwestern University, where she graduated with a degree in education.  She started her teaching career and while teaching in Caldwell met Glenn Amend.  They married July 8, 1956 and started their journey of ministry in the United Methodist Church.  During her life, Laverne taught elementary school for 34 years, traveled with Glenn to many countries and across the United States and served her church and community in many ways.  She was active in UMW, Drury Stars, PEO, Senior Center, Historical Society, Czech Chapter #1, MYF and several other organizations.  Laverne continued to serve her community and church beyond her retirement, volunteering, tutoring and helping 4-Hers make award winning baked goods.  Laverne was an excellent cook, seamstress and loved to entertain.  Her favorite symbol, the pineapple, represents hospitality, which she was very well known for.  Laverne loved to play cards and was an avid sports fan.  “Rock Chalk Jayhawk”!

Laverne is survived by her daughter Sarah Margaret Gray; and grandsons, Nathan Gray, Adam Gray, and step-granddaughter Terra Gray; great-granddaughter Marcelene Quinn; brother, Don Patton and his wife Anna Mae; sister in-law Lela Patton; and many loving nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister and brother in-law, Lucille and Edwin Bruey; niece Deanna Bruey Norris and brother Jim Patton.

Funeral services will be held 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 5, 2014, at the United Methodist Church in Caldwell, Kansas.  Interment will be in the Caldwell City Cemetery, Caldwell, Kansas.

Memorials may be given in memory of Laverne to the Heifer Project, Caldwell Senior Center or to the Caldwell Recycling Center.

To share a memory or leave a condolence please visit www.schaeffermortuary.info

Arrangements by Schaeffer Mortuary, 6 N. Main, Caldwell, Kansas.