Laverne Bateman
June 24, 1951 – December 6, 2021
As published in the December 20, 2021 World-Spectator
With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Laverne Bateman, at the Moosomin Southeast Integrated Care Centre on December 6, 2021 at the age of 70 years.
Laverne was born in Moosomin, Saskatchewan on July 24, 1951 to Adolf and Edith Kempin, the first of four children. She attended school in Wapella. Laverne recounted how shy she was in school and how a teacher once said she would not amount to much, but unbeknownst to them, Laverne had an internal steel will and was a strong, patient, smart, beautiful and resilient woman who liked to chat and laugh and enjoy each moment. She modelled these values and gifts for her family and leaves a legacy of love that will last long after.
After graduation, she moved to Edmonton with her sister Elaine, completed the MacKay Tech course and worked for the Bank of Montreal for three years. During her high school years she met and dated Mark and he followed her to Edmonton. They were married on September 18, 1971. Their first daughter, Tamara, was born in Edmonton two years later.
They moved to Mackenzie, B.C. for Mark’s work and remained there for two years. During this time, a second daughter, Azure, arrived. In each place they lived, they made close friends who stayed in touch through the years. In 1976, with a toddler and a baby they moved back home, built a house and started farming at Red Jacket with Mark’s Mom and Dad where they have remained. Two years later, Marsha, their third daughter, was born.
The early years, building their life, caring for three young girls and farming made for some stressful times, but she was always glad she was able to stay at home as a Mom and had the space, nature and close by family and friends that the farm life provided. She felt blessed to have her siblings and mother nearby.
Laverne was a protective, dedicated and loving mother and homemaker. We often wondered about her endless energy to be in nature, grow food, tend to the house and yard, sew and always still have time to help family members and friends.
Throughout her life, she was always kept busy with the demands of farm life. She especially enjoyed gardening, yard work, picking berries, making jam and processing garden vegetables. Her family was always so blessed to have her healthy homegrown meals. She also enjoyed long walks, volunteering at church, warm vacations, hot springs and family and friend visits.
Mark recounts how Laverne needed to almost twist his arm to take their first warm holiday together, but they both enjoyed it so much that after that first year it became a given. They have beautiful memories from their trips which included England and Scotland, Margarita Isla, Australia to visit Azure and numerous trips to Huatulco, Mexico where they owned a condo. They were frequently on the road visiting Alberta, enjoying time with Marsha and family. Laverne also experienced NYC and last year realized a life long dream to travel to Israel.
She loved exploring and was grateful for every moment, large and small. She woke every day saying “Thank you God for another day.” Her family hoped somehow, for this to go on forevermore.
She loved spending time with her three grandchildren and they were always spoiled with her wonderful baking and special Grandma time. No matter how far away her kids were, she always had a close connection to them and the grandchildren, supporting them and sending thoughtful gifts and frequent messages.
Though very healthy in her lifestyle, Laverne was diagnosed in 2008 with Multiple Myeloma. It was an overwhelming diagnosis for her and her family. Though it wasn’t her preferred path, Laverne bravely took on chemotherapy and stem cell transplants and defied the odds by living with it for 13 years. She was very diligent in her routines to maintain health and frequented the Castillo clinic in Mexico to boost her immune system. We know her health values and resolve inspired so many.
After the hardship and trauma of suddenly losing a daughter, Tami, in 1994 and the grief the family experienced, they had hoped for some pain free years ahead, so the cancer diagnosis was a difficult time. Though cancer treatments are never pleasant, she maintained a positive attitude and very rarely complained about any pain. At times when people could have been comforting and supporting her, instead she ended up being there for them. Laverne’s gentle and thoughtful ways have touched so many.
She will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by her husband Mark of 50 years, daughter Azure Bateman, granddaughter June, daughter Marsha Hein (Kelly), grandson Landon and granddaughter Hayley, her mother, Edith Kempin, sisters Elaine Kempin, Jennifer Allison (Lyndon) and brother Torrey Kempin (Shannon), sister-in-law Laurie (Bob) Folliott, along with numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends.
She was predeceased by her daughter Tami, father Adolf, father- and mother-in-law, Fred and Evelyn and many close aunts and uncles.
She will be forever in our hearts. We will dearly miss her smile.
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