LaVern C. (Koster) Mies, 89, of Conway Springs, died Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice Ascension Via Christi-St. Francis, Wichita.

LaVern was born Dec. 28, 1934, at the family farm near Cheney to Fred Koster and Clara Ast Koster. She attended St. Anthony’s Catholic School for two years before transferring to Cheney public school her fourth-grade year. The family moved to Milton during her seventh-grade year and she later graduated from Milton High School with the class of 1952. She continued her education and attended Wichita Business College, completing the secretarial program in 1953. She began working for Boeing Airplane Company that December.

LaVern was united in marriage to Nick M. Mies on Sept. 8, 1956, at Conway Springs, KS. They made their home in Conway Springs their entire married life, where they raised their family of four sons and one daughter.

When her kids were older, LaVern returned to Boeing in 1974, where she worked as an administrative assistant until her retirement in July of 1995. She and Nick were married 62 years until he passed away on Oct. 18, 2017.

LaVern was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Conway Springs, and St. Joseph Altar Society. She was a softball coach, retired board member of the Little Sunflower League and also was an officer of the Wellington Boat Club for many years. The family enjoyed camping and boating and generally planted a big garden. LaVern canned hundreds of quarts of green beans yearly. She worked outside mowing grass and taking care of the yard until the age of 85. LaVern loved to play cards and was a member of a group for 60-plus years. She also liked to step inside of a casino whenever the chance occurred.

LaVern also was preceded in death by her parents; three brothersm Marvin, Wilber and Keith Koster; two children, Duane Mies, and Marilyn Peterson; and one infant grandson Jedadiah.

She is survived by three sons, David Mies and Glenn (Ed) Mies of Conway Springs, and Gary Mies of Wichita; one brother, Klon Koster of Rathdrum, Idaho; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a number of other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Mass was celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Kyle Dugan as Celebrant. Rosary was recited at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, also at the church. Interment was in St. Joseph Cemetery, Conway Springs, KS.

Arrangements were by Ebersole Mortuary, Conway Springs. On-line condolences and guestbook are available at www.ebersolemortuary.com.

A memorial has been established with St. Joseph Catholic School, Conway Springs.