LaVerne Sue Byler

LaVerne Sue Byler, lifetime resident of Kay County, went to join her heavenly Father and reunite with many family loved ones on February 13, 2025.

LaVerne was born January 28, 1933, to Vern B. and Alameda (Davis) Guyer on the family farm east of Blackwell the location that her father was born and her grandfather, Charles A. Guyer, homesteaded in 1893. LaVerne had an older brother, Gene S. Guyer.

LaVerne attended Pleasant Valley rural school through the eighth grade before attending Blackwell Schools where she graduated from Blackwell High School in 1951. She was very proud to have twelve years of perfect attendance and never one tardy! 

LaVerne met Earl Hugh Byler in 1948, and they married February 2, 1951, before LaVerne graduated high school in May. Earl and LaVerne made their first home in Blackwell until she graduated, and then they moved to a farm home with no running water nor an indoor bathroom!

Following graduation and marriage, she worked at Hazel-Atlas Glass Plant in Blackwell from 1952 to 1954 while Earl served in the Army. In June 1954, LaVerne and Earl bought forty acres where their first home was located. They modernized the house with indoor plumbing. Their daughter, Earla Sue (Byler) Alley was born August 10, 1956, and then their son, Vernie Loel Byler, was born December 30, 1959. Later LaVerne and Earl bought an adjoining forty acres where they built a home in 1965.

LaVerne was a lifetime member of the Prairie Chapel United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School classes when her children were young. She also served as president of the Prairie Chapel Cemetery. LaVerne was also a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary and the Historical Museum, both of Blackwell. She was a counter and later a judge for Western Electric Board, as well as, a Golden Sheaf member of Western and New Bethel Granges. She served over twenty years on the Westin Township Election Board. LaVerne was a faithful blood donor having donated over nineteen gallons of blood. She served on the board of the Friends of 1893 Land Run. Other community involvement included associate director of the Kay County Conservation District and the secretary-treasurer of the Duck Creek Conservancy District.

LaVerne had a love of all animals, but a true passion for horses. She used to ride and compete in showdeos over the countryside and had many trophies in her living room to attest for her skills. She passed her love for horses along to many 4-H children through her leadership skills for over thirty years, and she served as the superintendent of the horse division at the Kay County Fair for fifteen years.

LaVerne was also honored in 2008 as a featured woman for the Kay and Noble County Women in Ag Conference. She was born into farming and devoted herself to conserving and working the land. However, LaVerne’s greatest life achievements were being a faithful wife, devoted mother, and pride filled grandmother and great grandmother known as “Grandma B.”

Grandchildren include Daniel Alley, Shawn Alley (Melinda), Jesse Alley, Marc Byler (Whitney), and Anna Byler Mussat (Domenic). Great grandchildren are Max, Axel and Ruby Byler, Payton Alley, Ryker Alley, Kane Moten, Easton, Madden, Brianna and Stephen Mussat. LaVerne took great pleasure in visits and any moments spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was quick to brag about them to friends and family. LaVerne loved each one of them and always had their best interests and needs in her daily prayers.

LaVerne was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, daughter, grandson, Stephen Alley, and brother.

The family will hold a private life celebration at a later date to honor LaVerne.

Memorials can be made in LaVerne’s honor to Prairie Chapel Cemetery, 5700 N. Union, Ponca City, Oklahoma  74601.

On-line condolences can be made to www.robertsandsonfh.com

The family would like to sincerely thank Ponca City Nursing and Rehab and ACG Hospice for their outpouring of compassion, kindness, and care during LaVerne’s time of need.  Each person involved was truly appreciated.