Vera Jean Havener of Milford passed way Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022, at Ridgewood Rehabilitation & Care Center in Seward at the age of 99.
She was born Sept 30, 1922, in Newport Beach, California, to Aaron Lloyd and Belva (Pearson) Braddy. She graduated from Newport Harbor Union High School in 1940. Vera owned a beauty shop in California with several beauticians working for her. She shared with us that she drove home from taking her cosmetology test during the blackouts in California in 1942.
Vera met Al while he was in California serving in the Marine Corp Reserve during the Korean conflict. They were united in marriage at the Capilla de San Antonio Wedding Chapel in Anaheim, California, on June 27, 1952. Coming from southern California in 1952 to Milford was quite a shock and not quite what Al had led her to believe. She shared many times that if it were not for the Fieselamen’s, Bender’s and rest of the Nebraska Trade School family, she would have returned to California.
Vera continued as a beautician and ran Vera’s Beauty Shop for 30 plus years in Milford. Vera’s specialty was the kitchen. She was a wonderful cook and could make the best meals with what seemed to be minimal effort. She loved to entertain and was known for her kitchen skills. She was always ready to feed a crowd of family, friends, college instructors and college students. She was always in the kitchen and to sit at her table was a wonderful time. Many will remember her for her famous stew and biscuits, liver and onions, tamale pie, pies, cakes, cookies and so much more.
Vera was a member of the Milford Legion Auxiliary, Memorial Health Care System Auxiliary, the Milford Senior Center Board, Tabitha Hospice volunteer and was on the Webermeier Library Board for many years. She is also a member of the United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women.
Vera is survived by son, Brad and wife Donna Havener of Milford; and daughter-in-law, Connie Havener, Junction City, Kansas; four grandchildren, Tiffany and husband Scott Cook, Junction City, Kansas, Sean and wife Jocelyn Havener, Kansas City, Missouri, Cody and wife Jami Havener, Arapahoe, and Calvin Havener; adopted daughter, Coral Eberspacher, Milford; a special number three son, Leon Meats, Craig, Coloradol great-grandchildren, Arijana and husband Jacob York, Emporia, Kansas, and Jaden Schultz, Arapahoe; great-great-grandchild, Lucas York, Emporia, Kansas, along with many nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elton “Al” Havener; her parents; sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Bert Mennes; and her son, Steve Havener.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Milford Senior Center, Southeast Community College-Milford campus, the Al Havener Scholarship Fund, Memorial Health Care Systems or Milford United Methodist Church.
The memorial service is Thursday, Sept. 1, at 1:30 p.m. at the Milford United Methodist Church. Visitation is Wednesday, Aug. 31, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. with Brad and Donna Havener greeting family and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lauber Funeral and Cremation Services, Milford. There will be a private family graveside burial. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.lauberfh.com.
