It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Laverne Hebner on Monday, June 4, 2018, at Points West Hospice in Grande Prairie, at the age of 84 years.

Laverne William Hebner, son of Emily Jane Presley and William “Bill” Thomas Hebner was born in Grandview, MB on June 26, 1933, the youngest of two children. After losing his father at a young age, Dad became the man of the house which molded him into the man we all knew and loved.

After graduating he went to work for The Ashdown Hardware Company as a salesman in northern Saskatchewan. It was in his travels up north where he would soon catch the eye of his future bride, Norma Shanks. After a yearlong courtship, they were wed March 29, 1956 and they spent 56 happy years together before mom’s passing in December 2012. They had four children: Debra, Janice, Cheryl and Grant.

Dad enjoyed the hardware business and above all, the people he met every day. Hebner Hardware was soon to open in Portage La Prairie, MB. In the early seventies he decided it was time for a career change and moved his family to Grande Prairie, AB where he entered the insurance and investment business with his father in-law Alvin Shanks. Within a few short years he branched out on his own, opening Hebner Agency. To Dad, the people he dealt with were not just clients but friends. Friendships that he valued throughout the years.

In the early 2000’s mom started to work dad into the retirement mode, spending part of their winters in Arizona. Son Grant had come into the business, allowing them an easy transition. After Grant’s sudden death in an automobile accident in 2003, Dad returned to the business until selling out to Doug Morris. They then began to spend their winters in Arizona and spring and fall in Summerland, BC.

Dad had a real passion for life. Family and friends were the two most important things to him. Family gatherings were the moments he cherished most. Over the last few years dad was also fortunate to enjoy the companionship of Pat Yuill whom he has known for many years. As a couple they were able to enjoy many hours of time together. He also loved to travel, dance, play cards, listen to music, attend church services and, in his earlier years, was an active member of the Grande Prairie Elks.

Dad will be sadly missed by his daughters: Debra Dunfield, Janice Hebner, and Cheryl Lawson; son in-law Keith Dunfield; grandsons: Justin Thomas, Sam Bedard, and Garrett Lawson; granddaughters: Stephanie McInnis (Cory), and Amanda Lawson (Ed Dubedat); great-grandson Corben McInnis; great-granddaughters: June McInnis, Ashlynn (Dubedat), and Kylee Dunfield; brother in-law Fraser Spears (Kathy); nephews: Ryan Gray (Margo), Scott Gray (Judith), Ben Spears (Allison), and Chad Spears; nieces: Karen Gray, and Nicole Spears (Mark Simpson); great-nieces and nephews, girlfriend Pat Yuill, as well as extended family and friends.

Dad was predeceased by his wife Norma, sister Audrey Gray, sister in-law Anne Spears and son Grant.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 9, 2018, at 2:00pm, at St Paul’s United Church in Grande Prairie (10206 100 Ave.), followed by lunch and then interment at Grande Prairie Cemetery (84^th Ave. &112^th St.).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Grande Prairie Hospice Palliative Care Society (Box 21215, Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 6W7) or to Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation (10409 98 St., Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 2E8).