Laverne Kirby

LaVerne Harte Kirby was born in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin on June 27, 1928, to Fred and Frances Harte. Surrounded by loving family, she passed away peacefully on January 4, 2020. LaVerne grew up in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin where she met and married the love of her life, Edward Joseph Kirby, II, M.D. on August 11, 1951. She and Ted moved to Texas to complete his medical residency; eventually settling in Houston where they raised their seven children. In 1992, they retired to their ranch, affectionately known by all as "The Ranch", in Washington, Texas.
LaVerne was devoted to her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved nature, the outdoors, and animals. She cherished spending time at "The Ranch" with her family. After her first grandchild was born, she was called "Gram" by all. She was hard working, talented, creative, and a life-long learner. She loved photography, crafting, sewing, picking pecans, and mowing at the ranch. She knew the names of all the trees, wildflowers, and birds. Gram passed her love of nature and being outdoors to her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Frances Harte; and her sisters, Virginia, Margaret, and Jean.
LaVerne is survived by her beloved husband of 68 years, Edward Joseph Kirby, II, M.D.; their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; son James Michael Kirby, M.D. and wife Judi of College Station, granddaughter Dawn Esche, her husband Steve and their children, Jack and Nathan of Austin, Texas, granddaughter Cara Kirby of Durango, Colorado, grandson Jimmy Kirby and his wife Sarah of College Station, granddaughter Tessa Bache-Wiig and her husband Evan of Dallas Texas; daughter Kathleen Kirby Schubert and her husband Rudy of College Station, granddaughter Kristine Mullings, her husband Matthew and their daughter Emily of Conroe, Texas, grandson Capt. Paul Schubert and his wife Melissa of Tampa, Florida; daughter Barbara Kirby of Houston, Texas, granddaughter Andrea Packer, her husband Logan and their children, Madi and Emberly of Houston, Texas, granddaughter Kathryn Hussong and her husband Josh of St. Hedwig, Texas, granddaughter Jessica Corcorran Coy and her husband Jason of Cypress, Texas; daughter Christine Kirby and her husband Kevin Richert of Washington, Texas; daughter Karen Kirby of Bryan Texas; daughter Kim Redding and her husband Ron of Brookshire, Texas, granddaughter Samantha Van Scyoc , her husband Byron and their children, Caroline and Connor of Brookshire, Texas, granddaughter Stephanie Schuster, her husband Travis and their son, Liam of Brookshire, Texas; and son Edward J. Kirby, III and his wife Amby of Argyle, Texas. LaVerne is also survived by her sister Elaine Loehner of Hillsboro Oregon and brother Fred Harte and his wife of Jasper, Tennessee.