LaVerne Helen Kammer

LaVerne “Honey” Helen Kammer, born on October 16, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2025. She lived life on her terms, embracing her unique spirit, resilience, and unwavering sense of individuality.

LaVerne was a devoted wife to her beloved husband, Eugene, for 70 years. Together, they built a life rich in love, laughter, and adventure, cherishing countless shared memories. Whether enjoying frequent visits to the casino or running the Booster Club bingo on Kennedy Avenue in Hammond, they found joy in each other’s company and the community they helped foster.

Known affectionately as a loving mother, honey, grandma, and great-grandmother, LaVerne’s life reflected a deep sense of connection to her family and faith. Her personality, at times strong and direct, was always underscored by love—a love best expressed through her home-cooked meals, baked treats, and unwavering presence.

Earlier in life, LaVerne found joy and purpose in her work as a hairdresser, a role that allowed her to connect with others in meaningful ways. She also gave generously of her time, delivering meals on wheels in Northwest Indiana and ensuring that the elderly and homebound were cared for and remembered.

In her later years, LaVerne found great comfort in her Catholic faith. She rarely missed a daily Mass on WTTW and found peace through her prayers to Padre Pio, drawing strength from the rituals that offered her a sense of quiet and enduring peace.

Her family was always close to her heart. LaVerne is survived by her children: Lynn Wilczynski (late, Edwin), and James Kammer (Dessie); her sister, Gwen Smock (Ron); and her brother, Eugene Perosko (Carol). She is preceded in death by her parents, Catherine and Michael Perosko; her husband, Eugene Edward Kammer; her sister, Sandra Dvorak; and her sons, Eugene Gerard and William Gerard Kammer.

She leaves behind a loving family, including her grandchildren: Kristy Adamson, Melanie Hlista (Bryce), Julia Affinati (Anthony), James Rash (Courtney), Brianna Cooper (Matthew), and Hayden, Jordan, and Greyson Kammer. She was the great-grandmother of six great-grandchildren: Tyler, Brandon, Blake, Carter, Myles, and Emily. She also had many nephews and nieces who held a special place in her heart.

Her presence was unmistakable, shaped by a strong spirit and a way of being that was truly her own. As we remember her, we hold close the quiet love and care that lived beneath the surface. May she find peace in her rest, and may those who knew her carry forward the moments of warmth, resilience, and connection she shared with them, with grace, compassion, and understanding.