Arlene Grace Laverty

Arlene Grace Laverty, 98, passed away Monday July 7, 2025, at home in Lenexa KS. She was born April 6, 1927, in Hebron NE to Howell and Ruby Marlin Bassford. She lived in various parts of the west due to her grandfather and father owning and operating a highway construction company. She found moving often and spending most of her time in new places and schools a fun experience.

Arlene married Wayne Laverty, a naval medic, on September 23, 1944, in Couer d’ Alene, Idaho. Along with her mother, sister, and aunt, she contributed to the war effort. They moved to Neodesha KS at the end of the war while Wayne studied to become a teacher at Pittsburg State Teachers College. Moving to Pittsburg KS when housing became available. Settling in Shawnee KS in 1949.

Arlene was a housewife, mother of three, and a professional seamstress. Always well-dressed and ready to go shopping anywhere and at any time. She was a wonderful cook who was known for her delicious gravy and pecan pies at the holidays. Many summers were spent canning hundreds of jars of garden produce from Wayne’s large garden and giving lots of it away. Her favorite foods included hamburgers, baked beans, potato salad, onions, navy bean soup, KFC fried chicken with their coleslaw and most any dessert. A welcoming hostess with a fresh coffee and a sweet treat, Arlene was a generous friend ready to lend a hand or an ear. As a member of Shawnee United Methodist Church and Faculty Wives she developed many great friendships.

You could find her enjoying word games, crossword, and jigsaw puzzles too. She was always ready for a game or two of cards, Triominos, Scrabble, Yahtzee, or Rummikub. A fan of sports, rooting for the KC Chiefs or cheering on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A caring and witty family matriarch who loved being with her family and generously giving the best hugs.

Arlene loved to dance, if she caught you in the kitchen (or anywhere) you were encouraged to dance along with her.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents Howell and Ruby Marlin Bassford, husband Wayne Laverty, sister Lorraine Vondra and two sons-in-law Robert Long and Mark Kinkelaar.

She is survived by daughters; Sharon Long of Miramar BeachFL, Leslie (Ken) Williams of Chesterfield MO, and Kay Kinkelaar of Lenexa KS.

Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren; Shannon Caston (Jason Roman) of Garland Texas, Kelly (Eric) Reagan Willams Bell of Richmond Heights MO, Erin (William) Dreiling and daughters Emma, Catherine, and Hannah of Kansas City MO, Reagan(Jarrett) Higginbotham and sons Jaxon and Riley of Olathe KS, Andrew Kinkelaar (Miguel Chavez-Pantoja) of Lenexa KS, and Michael (Kelsey) Kinkelaar and daughter Addison of Lenex, Kansas.