Morton, Laverne B. (nee Kilian) of St. Louis, Missouri was born November 21, 1930, in St. Louis, Missouri to Raymond and Mildred (nee Schmidt) Kilian. Laverne entered into rest Wednesday, November 12, 2025, nine days short of her 95th birthday. She is preceded in death by her parents, her stepfather Robert Godin, and loving husband of 65 years, Robert “ Bob” Morton.

Laverne is survived by four (4) children, Debbie Gallop, Danny (Jayne) Morton, MaryLou Pudlowski, Dean (Brenda) Morton, sixteen (16) grandchildren, Brian (Jodi) Gallop, Amy (Terry) Holtsclaw, Julie Johnson, Greg (the late Annie, nee Filla) Morton, Katie (Paul) Fehlig, Michael (Victoria) Morton, Tim Pudlowski, Laura (Craig) Stutz, Wendi (Bob) Creely, and thirteen (13) great-grandchildren, Hannah Gallop, Nathan Gallop, Lillie Johnson, Adaleigh Johnson, Maeve Morton, Quinn Morton, Addison Sands, Trevor Pudlowski, Madelyn Pudlowski, Brendan Creely, Nate Creely, Molly Stutz and Miles Stutz, and many other relatives and friends.

An only child, Laverne was raised by her mother and grandmother after her father’s early death when she was just 2 years old. Her beloved stepfather, Robert Godin, joined the family when she was 17. Laverne studied and played piano, and at the age of 12 she was performing recitals on KMOX radio and produced several albums. She subsequently played the piano for professional singers. Laverne attended Roosevelt High School and exhibited her loyalty by attending high school reunions beyond her 50 year class reunion.

Integral to the raising of her four children, Laverne had a deep love for her Church. She was a devoted member of St. Paul United Church of Christ for most of her nearly 95 years. Amongst other church activities, she assisted with directing the children’s choir and teaching Sunday School for several years. Her devotion to music was impressive and played a large role in her home and especially on the Big Band dance floor with her loving husband “Boogie Bob”. They were highly regarded whenever “In the Mood” by Glenn Miller was played. They loved their regular nights out dancing with friends.

In the early years, Laverne was chauffeur for her children and grandchildren. Taking them to piano or swimming lessons, baseball and softball practices, and many other activities. Years later she was chauffeuring her elderly friends to reunions, lunches, and dinners. She was always there for others.

Laverne loved her family and took hundreds, more like thousands, of pictures. Before the digital age, she would print multiple copies of family pictures while writing on the back of each, a “who’s who” before distributing them to whoever was in the picture. But it was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren that gave her immense joy ….. only matched by the great joy she gave to them. In fact, often she could be found on the floor playing games with the grandchildren for hours on end. She cherished attending many, many of their sporting and other events from Fenton to St. Charles.

Laverne was quiet, kind and extremely thoughtful. She was the queen of sending greeting cards, reaching far beyond family. If you are reading this, you may well have been one of the recipients. She will be fondly remembered for her genuine thoughtfulness, and we will miss her dearly. Rest in peace, Mom. You deserve it.

Visitation will be held Monday, November 24th from 4-8 PM at John L. Ziegenhein & Sons Funeral Homes, 4830 Lemay Ferry Road (63129). On Tuesday, November 25th a brief visitation will be held at St. Paul United Church of Christ, 3510 Giles Ave, St Louis, MO 63116 beginning at 11 a.m. and followed by a service at 11:45 a.m. Interment at 1 p.m. at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations made to the Alzheimer’s Association, the Down Syndrome Society of Greater St. Louis, or Blood Cancer United (formerly Leukemia & Lymphoma Society).