LaVern D. Stucky, 87, a lifelong farmer, educator and philanthropist, died Sept. 29, 2025, while doing what he loved, farming. He was born July 30, 1938, to Marion J. and Welma (Siemens) Stucky. He met Marilyn Goebel in a Moundridge High School debate class. They married Aug. 7, 1958, beginning a 66-year partnership that functioned as a continuous, albeit loving, rhetorical match.

LaVern earned a bachelor’s degree from Bethel College in 1960 and a master’s degree in education administration from Emporia State University in 1968. After nearly 20 years of balancing teaching and farming, he left the classroom to farm full-time.

For all the farming, his most important harvest may have come from initiating The Penny Challenge while chair of the Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale. Now known as My Coins Count, over $600,000 is collected worldwide annually from spare change to drive relief, development and peacebuilding.

A sixth-generation descendant of Elder Jacob Stucky, who led Mennonite immigrants to Kansas, LaVern was a devoted steward of his Mennonite roots. As president of the Swiss Mennonite Cultural and Historical Association until just last year, he spearheaded the 150th anniversary celebration of the 1874 migration and its many educational events.

LaVern leaves behind a family he adored, especially his daughters, Cynthia Beth and Janelle Unrau, and their families. He was preceded in death by his beloved Marilyn (Goebel) and daughter Aileen Joy. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. June 20 at Bethel College Mennonite Church, North Newton, Kan.