Margaret Virginia Lavery

Margaret Lavery, 85, of Topeka, passed away on Wednesday, December 5, 2007.

Margaret was born Margaret Virginia Kahmann, the youngest child of Harry Kahmann and Mary Ellen Bouder Kahmann on September 9, 1922 in Fort Scott, KS.

Margaret’s mother died when she was only 6 years old and she was raised by her aunt until she was 14 when she returned to live with her father.  In 1940, at the age of 18, Margaret met and married John Joseph “Joe” Lavery.  Together they raised eight children and were married nearly 50 years when he died in May of 1990.  Their children, 4 sons and 4 daughters, survive and they are:  John C. Lavery, Treasure Island, FL, (wife Bernice), William Lavery, Ypsilanti, MI, Marry Terry, Allegany, NY, (husband Jack), Bob Lavery, Lee’s Summit, MO, Patty Evans, Topeka, (husband Charlie), Cathy Holle, Columbia, MO, Teresa Merrifield, Topeka, (husband Larry), and Joe Lavery, Topeka.  Survivors also include 14 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.  In addition to her husband, Margaret was also preceded in death by here three siblings.

After living in Osawatomie, KS for many years Margaret and Joe moved their family to Topeka in 1959 and Margaret remained in Topeka until she died.  Margaret was a homemaker while her children were young, and then worked for Montgomery Wards in Topeka during the early 1960’s and for Josten’s in Topeka from 1970 until she retired in 1987.

Margaret will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Friday at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home where a rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m.  The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.  Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home followed by the burial at Mount Calvary Cemetery.  To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.brennanmathenafh.com.