LaVera C. Hood

LaVera Cecelia Hood, 82, of Topeka, died December 9, 2016 at Vintage Park in Holton, Kansas.

She was born in Schoenchen, Kansas on February 14, 1934 the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Gottschalk) Pfannenstiel.  LaVera attended St. Joseph Grade School and Hayden High School.

She worked as a meat wrapper for Murray Market and Dillon’s Grocery.  LaVera and her husband had owned and operated the Shamrock Tavern. 

LaVera was a good friend of all friends of Jimmy K. and Bill W.  LaVera was the original owner of the Second Chance Clubhouse in Topeka.  Her unwavering support and deeply felt devotion of all 12 step programs had brought so much recovery in so many ways to so many people. 

She was a member of the Fairlawn Nazarene Church.  LaVera loved music and canoe trips with her family.

She was married to Henry Hood in 1965.  He preceded her in death on May 11, 1982.  Survivors include her children, Robert (Valerie) Tobey of Topeka, Mary (Robin) Allen of Denison, KS, and Karla Hood of Denver, ten grandchildren of which two are deceased, 13 great grandchildren and a sister, Darlene (Ernie) Brown of Little Rock, AR.  She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Kelley Hood and three siblings, Edna Pfannenstiel, LaVerne Pfannenstiel and Lois Haddock.

LaVera was cremated.  A Memorial Visitation will be held on Tuesday at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home where the family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m.  Inurnment will be held in Mt. Calvary Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Joseph Restoration Fund and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas  66603.