Laverne 'Sonny' H. Schoenthaler and Carolyn M. Mohr Schoenthaler

 Laverne 'Sonny' H. Schoenthaler and Carolyn M. Mohr Schoenthaler

Laverne was born May 3, 1931, to Frederick (Bill) and Zeta (Duncan) Schoenthaler at Hays Hospital. He was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church in Ellis, Kansas. At an early age, he was given the nickname 'Sonny,' a name so familiar that many friends never knew him by any other. He grew up in Trego County and remained there his entire life. A proud member of the Trego Community High School class of 1949, known as the '49ers,' he enjoyed sports and participated in both football and track. He went on to spend his life farming and ranching. Laverne passed away on September 11, 2025, at Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital Long Term Care.

Carolyn Mae Mohr was born June 11, 1933, on the family farm west of WaKeeney, to Jacob and Bertha (Struss) Mohr. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. She attended Old Bosna Country School and graduated from Trego Community High School in 1951. Carolyn loved sewing dresses for her daughters and was known for her delicious pies, especially coconut cream and chocolate cream. Carolyn passed away on September 12, 2025, at her home.

On December 28, 1951, Sonny and Carolyn were united in marriage at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in WaKeeney. They made their home on the Schoenthaler family farm, seven miles southeast of WaKeeney, where they lived until moving to Keeney Village four years ago.

Together they raised three children: Cindy, Janelle, and Steve. They were active leaders in 4-H and members of the WaKeeney Saddle Club, where they enjoyed participating in fairs, horse shows, and community events, earning many trophies and ribbons along the way. Sonny served his community as a church council member, Saddle Club officer, Trego Center School Board member, Farmers Union officer, and for many years as a WaKeeney Township Board member. He also worked penning cattle at the Sale Barn on Tuesdays. Carolyn contributed her skills as secretary and bookkeeper at the WaKeeney Animal Clinic and the WaKeeney Sale Barn office.

Farming and ranching were more than just work to Sonny and Carolyn—they were a way of life they loved. They even named many of their cows and had favorite pets, especially their dogs, Odie and Tootsie, who rarely left their side. In their free time, they enjoyed playing cards, bingo, and visiting casinos. Sonny especially cherished watching their grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports.

They are survived by their children: Steve (Heather) Schoenthaler of WaKeeney, Cindy (Bill) Level of WaKeeney, and Janelle (Steve) Riedy of Salina; grandchildren—Kyle (Sage) Level, Kerah (Shawn) Deines of WaKeeney, Brent (Amber) Riedy of Andover, Shauna (Tyler) Smith of Salina, Deven Schoenthaler of Ashland, Massachusetts, Emarie Schoenthaler of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Noah Oborny of Iowa; great-grandchildren—Graeden and Hudson Deines, Kamdyn Reynolds of WaKeeney, Shawna Deines and son James of Colby, Braxton, Mason, and Jensen Riedy of Andover, and Blakely and Everly Smith of Salina; brother Ernie (Leanna) Mohr of DeSoto, Kansas; and brother-in-law Leroy Engel of Westminster, Colorado, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Laverne was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Shirley Engel and Ruth Benisch, and Ruth’s husband George. Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Alvin (Freida) Mohr and Martin (Ella) Mohr; and sisters Marie (Kenneth) Lahmann and Wilma (Ernest) Dietz.

Sonny and Carolyn’s lives were beautifully intertwined for more than seventy-three years, and in God’s grace, they entered eternal rest just one day apart—together forever as they had always been.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th Street, WaKeeney, Kansas 67672. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. A procession to WaKeeney City Cemetery will immediately follow the funeral service, where the committal will take place.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church and sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th Street, WaKeeney, Kansas 67672. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.schmittfuneral.com.