Lavern Chvatal

LaVern M. Chvatal, 88, of Atwood, KS, passed away Monday, November 9, 2015 at Rawlins County Hospital. He was born December 12, 1926, in Atwood, to Frank J. and Matilda Chvatal, the third of ten children.

LaVern wore many hats during his working life, most at the same time. He was engaged in farming and also operated Chvatal’s Texaco, on highway 36 in Atwood, for over twenty six years. In the summers he was a professional crop duster for Guth Aviation, flying in over fifteen states throughout his career. Later in life, Vern took on a full time rural mail route out of the Atwood Post Office.

LaVern was called and proudly served in the United States navy during WWII. After his discharge he returned to the Atwood area. He was an active member and past commander of the American Legion Sam Hubbard Post during his lifetime.

LaVern married Virginia Schandler on May 18, 1949. To this union three sons were born, John (1950), Larry (1953) and Greg (1958). All three actively participated in the family enterprises throughout their younger years.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia; eldest son, John; sister, Erma Beims and brothers, Glenard, Bernard and Eugene Chvatal.

He is survived by his sons, Larry and wife Carla, San Diego, CA and Greg and wife Cheryl, Ft. Collins, CO; daughter-in-law, Mary Cartafalsa, Omaha, NE; grandchildren, Caitlin and Corina Chvatal, Ft. Collins, Mike Wieczorek, Glenwood Springs, CO, Steve Wieczorek, Hutchinson, and Kristin Butler, Minneapolis, KS; two brothers, Frank A. and wife Theresa, Atwood and Gary and wife Carol, Littleton, CO; sisters, Mary Ann Brown, Kingwood, TX, Wauneta Halsey and husband Bob, McCook, NE and Ilene Haller and husband Sam, Culberson, NE and many loving and wonderful nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 4-8:00 p.m. Thursday, November 12, 2015 at Baalmann Mortuary, Atwood, with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass is 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 13, 2015 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Atwood with burial following in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Mt. Calvary Cemetery Fund or the Rawlins County Health Center, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. Online condolences: www.baalmannmortuary.com