LaVern Funk was born August 22nd, 1921, to Adolph and Anna (Enns) Funk in Wolf Point, Montana. He died on August 8th, 2020 in Hillsboro, KS. He married Maxine Loewen in 1951, and together they had four children, which they raised on a farm south of Hillsboro. Maxine passed away in 1982. He later met and married Joyce Seibel in 1984. They continued farming, until moving to Hillsboro in 2000. LaVern was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Maxine, son Richard, three brothers, and two sisters. LaVern is survived by his wife Joyce, daughter Mary Leal (Eric), daughter-in-law Dorothy Funk (Richard), daughter Janet Mitzner (Ron), son Russell, nine grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister, Viola Schultz (John), and many nieces and nephews. Graveside service is at 10:00 am at Hillsboro M.B. cemetery in Hillsboro on Wednesday, August 12th. Memorial service will follow at 11:00 am at Hillsboro M.B. Church. Memorial contributions can be made to The Good Shepard Hospice in care of Jost Funeral Home P.O. Box 266 Hillsboro, KS 67063. Online condolences at www.jostfuneralhome.com Life Sketch Taken from the Funeral Bulletin LaVern Funk was born August 22nd, 1921, to Adolph and Anna (Enns) Funk in Wolf Point, Montana. He was the oldest of four brothers and three sisters. Horseshoes and baseball were some of the favorite games the family played together. We started country school where there were 32 students and one teacher. Our folks took us to school every day. The cold, snowy winter required us to go by sled and horses the four miles to school. Dad made a cab on the sled to protect us from the extreme cold. He even had a small coal-burning stove to help keep us warm. Temperatures go to zero and below during the winter months. During these long cold evenings, many games were played and homework was done. Our folks moved to Kansas so we could attend high school. Dad bought musical instruments so we could teach ourselves to play. I learned to play violin, and played in the high school orchestra. I also enjoyed shop and woodworking, making a number of cedar chests and other furniture. Daily devotions were important to our family. Sunday was a day we went to church and Sunday school. It was during a revival meeting that I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. I was baptized in a pond west of Hillsboro, and I became a member of the Hillsboro M.B. Church. I sang in the choir and men’s chorus, and ushered for many years, as well as being on other committees. After I graduated from high school I started working for farmers. I denied the Farm Deferment and spent 15 months at Hill City, South Dakota working on a government Dam. I later transferred to Lincoln, Nebraska working with soil conservation, building terraces for farmers. It was during this time that I became acquainted with Theodore Epp’s Back to the Bible radio broadcast, which I have helped support ever since. After returning to Kansas I met Maxine Loewen at church. We were married in 1951 at the Ebenfeld M.B. Church. Together we had four children. Maxine passed away in 1982, losing her battle with cancer. I farmed and worked for Bartel house moving. I also volunteered many times with Mennonite Disaster Service after severe storms. I met and married Joyce Seibel in 1984. She quickly became a second mom to my children. We enjoyed the many trips and bus tours that we took over the years. We moved into Hillsboro from the farm in 2000. LaVern still enjoyed helping on the farm, even driving tractor until he was 96. LaVern was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Maxine, son Richard, three brothers, and two sisters. LaVern is survived by his wife Joyce, daughter Mary Leal (Eric), daughter-in-law Dorothy Funk (Richard), daughter Janet Mitzner (Ron), son Russell, nine grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister, Viola Schultz (John), and many nieces and nephews.