LaVerne Whelan 1921-2016
LaVerne Whelan, 94, of Topeka, died Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016, at Kelly House.
She was born in Hoyt on Nov. 27, 1921, the daughter of Harry Hansel and Eva (Stevens) Frazier.
LaVerne attended Hoyt High School where she was a basketball star and also graduated in 1939. She graduated from Stricklers Business College.
LaVerne worked in the Title Insurance business for 29 years, retiring as Vice President of Lawyer’s Title of Topeka, Inc. She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. LaVerne was a huge sports fan and especially enjoyed watching the Kansas City Royals and Kansas State Wildcats, and she attended all her grandson’s sporting events.
She was actively involved in community and church activities. LaVerne was a member of the Oakland Methodist Church, IBEW #226 Auxiliary, Women’s Council of Realtors, and the Echo Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association where she was selected as “Woman of the Year” in 1976.
LaVerne married James Leo Whelan on Jan. 18, 1946, in Topeka. James died June 2, 2002.
She is survived by her children, Jim (Marilee) Whelan and Janet (Patrick) Finan; grandchildren, Ryan (Jessica) Finan and T. J. (Therese) Finan; stepgrandchildren, Tiffany (Kleith) Harris and Kristin (James) Garcia; great-grandchildren, Peighton, Stella, McKinley and Cecelia Finan; and stepgreat-grandchildren, Emma, Andrew and Nathan Harris and Andrea Garcia. LaVerne was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a brother, Melvin Frazier; twin brother, Lovelle Frazier; a sister, Anna Mae Hinkle; and daughter-in-law Margie Whelan.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6 at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Interment will follow at the Hoyt Cemetery in Hoyt.
Memorial contributions may be made to Oakland United Methodist Church, sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 S.W. Sixth Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.
Online condolences and fond memories may be made at www.brennanmathenafh.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
