Laverne Jenkins

LaVerne Jessie "Sis" Jenkins passed away Monday March 26, 2012.
Only her mother called her LaVerne; everyone else in the family knew her as Sis. Born in Racine, Wisconsin on March 21, 1914, she attended Horlick High School and worked at Twin Disk Clutch as an executive secretary until she retired in 1979.

LaVerne moved to Madison in February of 2009, to be closer to family. At 98, she was the second eldest, and last surviving, of the four children of Jessie Hemple Jenkins and Clarence Jenkins. Her faith left no question that she would be with her parents, her brother, LeRoy Jenkins, and her sisters, Doris Jenkins and Shirley Jenkins Ranscht, after passing on.

LaVerne is survived by her nephew, James (Sue) Jenkins of Madison, and neices Patricia Speidel, Susan Ranscht, Kim (Michael) Bowling, Sally (Dave) Loucks, and Nancy Ranscht in San Diego County, California, as well as four great-nephews and three great-nieces.

LaVerne's family and friends are united in their love for her kind and gentle ways. No one ever knew her to raise her voice, yet everyone saw her strength and determination to live the life she believed God wanted her to live. For many years, she taught Sunday school for pre-schoolers at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Racine, where she also sang in the choir.

LaVerne traveled extensively in the US, Canada, England, Egypt and the Holy Land. She loved gardening, sewing, knitting, bowling, golf, baking, and reading. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels until she was no longer able to drive, at about age 90. At the end of a long life, rich with generosity and compassion, her passing was peaceful.

The family wishes to thank Sebring Assisted Living and Agrace Hospice Care, both of Madison, for their caring support of Sis and her family.

A visitation for LaVerne will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, May 12, 2012, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 3011 Erie St., Racine, Wisconsin, 53402, with memorial service to follow at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, or to Agrace Hospice Center, 5395 E. Cheryl Pkwy, Madison, WI 53711.