LaVanche Millard was born in Ellis, KS, on September 2, 1919, to the late James Albert and Myrtle Katie (Wilkins) Morris. She passed away Monday, October 18, 2010, in the Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital in WaKeeney at the age of 91.

She is a 1937 graduate of Ellis High School. On December 17, 1939, LaVanche was united in marriage to Jack Lamont Millard in the Baptist parsonage at Hays, KS. She worked as a telephone operator for a year and then co-owned and operated the Western Kansas World with her husband from 1952 to 1990. Jack passed away September 24, 2006.


LaVanche was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Randall Reid VFW Auxiliary in WaKeeney. She was a Cub Scout leader and Sunday School Teacher when her boys were young. In her spare time, she loved to read, travel, and teach her grandchildren many different arts and crafts. She collected over 1700 Barbie Dolls, many still in the original boxes, and was a wonderful seamstress and was devoted to her husband.


Survivors include a son, Jerry Millard and wife, Cathy, of WaKeeney; three grandchildren, Jeremy Millard and wife, Ashley, Megan Mowery and husband, Jason, Tara Husband and her husband, John; four great-grandchildren, Oasis Husband, Jessica, Kyler and Kiera Mowery.

Her husband, Jack; a son, Jack 'Monty' Millard, Jr.; a brother Lee Morris; and a sister, Edna Beach preceded her in death.

Visitation is planned 5-7 PM Friday, October 22, 2010 at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney, KS. Private Graveside services will be later.

Memorials are suggested to the TCLMH Endowment and can be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.