M. Laverne Westphal

Marjorie Laverne Ewing Jett Westphal was born November 20, 1933, in a dugout near Stonington, Colorado. Her parents were Irv and Helen Forsythe Ewing. Laverne was the oldest of six children; including Ruth, Emma, Gerald, Robert, and Margaret.

While in high school, Laverne met and married Jim Jett on July 23, 1951. To this union were born two children: Sharla Ann and Steven Dirk.

On December 7, 1975, Laverne married Bruce Westphal and gained four more children: Connie, Brad, Vikki, and Steve. Laverne and Bruce lived on a Ranch north of Kim, as well as maintaining a home here in Springfield.

Laverne’s passion was nursing, and she became an RN in 1975, graduating from Lamar Community College and then Southern Colorado State College in Pueblo. During her tenure, Laverne worked through the ranks becoming Director of Nursing and a classroom instructor for CNAs. She also truly enjoyed her time working surgery. Laverne’s work was much appreciated, and she won the Nightingale Award for nursing. Her commute from the ranch to the hospital was an hour each way, and this traveling began limiting her hours at the hospital. She retired from the hospital in 2003, shortly after Bruce passed away.

Laverne passed away Saturday, September 8, 2018, in the very hospital that she loved. She is survived by her son, Steve and his wife Karen; Sharla's husband Randy, grandchildren Bethany (Zach), Nathaniel, Todd, Page (Boz), Abby, Justin, Brandon, Bruce, Ginger, Paula, Stefanie, Jason and Taci; great-grandchildren Shaiyann, Jett and Blaze; and Sisters Ruth Ketchum and Margaret Larson.

She is preceded in death by her daughter Sharla, husband Bruce, parents Irv and Helen, and siblings Emma, Gerald, and Robert.

Laverne also leaves to mourn a host of friends, especially Dorothy Porter, Joan Compton, Luella Cardiff, and Mary Lasley; and all her former co-workers at the hospital, who took such great care of their “teacher”!

As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be given to Southeast Colorado Hospital District in Lavern’s memory. Donations can be mailed directly to the Hospital, SECHD, 373 E. 10 ^th Ave. Springfield, CO 81073.