Laverene J. Barnes

March 7, 1928 – June 30, 2012

TORRINGTON – Laverene J. Barnes, 84, of Torrington, died June 30 at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center.

Laverene was born on March 7, 1928, in Hawk Springs, the daughter of Arthur and Emma (Ohley) Hacker. She grew up in the Hawk Springs, Huntley and Torrington areas.

Laverene married Larry W. Barnes on Aug. 11, 1952. To this union six children were born; Debra (Chuck) Stoeger, Kenneth (Kathy) Barnes, Larry E. (Glenda) Barnes, Patty (Brad) Essert and Karen (Scott) Lacey, all of Torrington, and Cyndi (Randy) Wiggins of Scottsbluff, Nebraska.

The couple had a passion for providing for their family. They raised chickens, milk cows, beef cows and pigs. In addition the pair had a huge garden which provided enough vegetables to be canned for the year. Laverene also sold eggs, milk and homemade bread to help make ends meet.

In 1962, they began remodeling and expanding a two-room shack which would become their family home. She loved to laugh and often told stories of getting in trouble for doing so, a trait she passed on to her children.

During her retirement she enjoyed making quilts for her grandchildren as they graduated high school. She loved to watch old Western movies, tennis and golf. She created a VHS collection of her favorite movies and shows. Laverene was a dedicated listener to KCMI’s Hymntime radio program on Sunday morning and planned her day around it.

Laverene is survived by all of her six children and their spouses; two stepdaughters, Shirley (Kenny) Thrasher, of Iowa, and Jenny (Fred) Currier, of Torrington; brother, Calvin Hacker, of Cheyenne; half-sister, Norma Berry, of Minnesota; stepbrother, Clifford Newton, of Oregon; 27 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband and friend, Larry; parents; six sisters; one half-sister; four brothers; two half-brothers; and one grandson.

Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 5 at Valley View Cemetery with Pastor Phillip King officiating.

A memorial has been established to KCMI Radio.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Colyer Funeral Home, and friends may send condolences to the family at www.colyerfuneralhome.com.



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