Lavern Matilda Frederick

LaVern Matilda Fry, 97, passed away on Sunday, January 3rd, 2021 at St. Luke's North Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri with her daughters and granddaughter, Casey by her side.

Born to Ann and Joseph Fry on October 6, 1923 in Paxico, Kansas, LaVern was the youngest of eight children. She attended Sacred Heart Elementary School in Paxico until fifth grade. LaVern was only four years olds when her mother passed away. Her father provided for her until his sudden illness. She lived with her older brothers and sisters and their families during the depression. At one point, she was put into an orphanage for several months.

At age thirteen she put an ad in the Leavenworth Times to be hired for room and board. A couple who lived on a farm and had no children hired her. It was during this time that she met the love of her life Francis Frederick, over a bowl of her homemade vegetable soup. (Francis had been hired by the farmer to haul some cattle.)

After working several years on the farm, she decided to put another ad in the paper to be a nanny. She was hired by a couple with three children. Since she now lived in town, she also was employed by Bell Laundry, where she worked nights. During the 40's, LaVern loved to go to the dances, where she would occasionally run into Francis, the love of her life. They were married on September 12, 1947 by Father Guilfoyle at Sacred Heart Church in Ottawa, Kansas. Francis previously had helped Father Guilfoyle at a boy's orphanage in Leavenworth. Father always told Francis he wanted to preside at his wedding when that day came. LaVern carried her heart-shaped wedding cake, on her lap, on their trip from Leavenworth to Ottawa, on their wedding day.

LaVern's greatest accomplishment was her children Darlene and Arlene, who she lovingly called Darlin and Arlin. Her grandchildren would also take top priority in her life. After the birth of their daughters, LaVern and Francis moved back to the farm of his parents to help them out for several years. Upon the sudden passing of her husband, Francis, LaVern moved back to town where she was employed by Lallier Grocers. Her final job before retirement was at the University of St. Mary's in the housekeeping department.

LaVern sacrificed everything for her family. Caregiving was also one of her greatest professions. Her doors were always open to feed her family, as well as their friends. She took great pride in feeding them her homemade vegetable soup; ham and beans; fried chicken; roasts; mashed potatoes and gravy and her homemade cookies and angel food cake. She was everyone's angel!

She is preceded in death by her parents Anna and Joseph Fry; her husband Francis Frederick and all her siblings. She is survived by her daughters Darlene Summerour and Arlin Concannon along with grandchildren Eric (Stacy) Summerour; Shelly (Franco) Oliver; Cole (Stefanie) Concannon; Casey Concannon and great grandchildren Kaitlyn Summerour; Luke Summerour; Cora Oliver; Clark Oliver and Carly Concannon.

A Private Service will be held Friday, January 15. To watch a livestream of the service 10 minutes prior click here.

In lieu of flowers the family would like to honor LaVern’s memory by memorial contributions being sent to St. Joseph Catholic Church Foster Care Ministry, 11311 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66203.