LaVerne E. Kautz

LaVerne E. Kautz, 91, died Feb. 15, in Spokane. LaVerne was born to Gotthilf and Mary (Miller) Shutz in Ritzville on April 22, 1923.

She graduated Ritzville schools in 1941 and married Warren Kautz in November of 1941. LaVerne and Warren had three children: Sandra Lee, Shari Rae and Vicki Lynn.

Although LaVerne’s primary career was raising a family and being a farm wife, she found plenty to keep her busy after she and Warren moved from the farm into retirement, which included: working for the Laird Co., serving the county commissioners as clerk of the board for equalization and serving eight years as a clerk for the county assessor’s office.

She loved to garden and volunteer her time at church as a Sunday school teacher; doing the history of the Salem Church Pastoral records and most notably known for her research of the Hanford radiation studies and her black hair.

She was a wonderful mother, caring wife and grandmother.

Survivors include her daughters: Sandra Webley of Kennewick and Vicki Ferderer (Brian Fode) of Lind; grandchildren: Julie (Kirk) Isakson, David (Paula) Bafus, Ron (Melinda) Ferderer ,Lori (Jason) Ste. Marie and Dr Michael (Tina) Ferderer; nine great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.

LaVerne is preceded in death by her husband Warren in 2005; her daughter Shari Rae in 1961 and her sister: Velma Dehnel in 2014.

Visitation was Saturday Feb. 21, which was followed by a Funeral service at Zion Philadelphia United Church of Christ in Ritzville.

Danekas Funeral Home-Ritzville was entrusted with arrangements.