LaVera E Larson Obituary (1937 - 2018)

LaVera Elizabeth Larson, age 81, of Menomonie, died on Monday, January 29, 2018 at Comforts of Home in Menomonie. The former LaVera Stratton was born January 28, 1937 and raised on Gypsy Hill outside of Menomonie. She was born to LaVerne “Ted” and Leoma (Williams) Stratton, the oldest of six children. LaVera attended Beaver Creek Grade School and graduated from Menomonie High School in 1955. After graduation, she worked at Dan’s Café and Lakeside Aluminum. In 1956, at the age of 19, LaVera was baptized and confirmed at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Menomonie. LaVera lived her entire life in the Menomonie area. On January 18, 1958, LaVera married Myron “Mike” Larson at Christ Lutheran Church in Menomonie, followed with a dance at The 400 Club. Mike and LaVera celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2008 with their five children and grandchildren. Mike passed away on August 12, 2009, after 51 ½ happy years together. To this marriage, three sons and two daughters were born. A source of pride for Mike and LaVera was the unexpected arrival of twins in 1962. Mike became known as “Doc Mike” when he unexpectedly delivered his twin daughter, Christine, at home at midnight. LaVera was surprised when a ½ hour later, Curtis was born in the hospital. Twins then became a favorite topic for Mike and LaVera. LaVera enjoyed being able to be a stay-at-home mother, because Mike worked long hours, as an ironworker foreman. She spent many years as a 4-H leader for the Teegarden Valley and Knapp Hills 4-H Clubs and as a member of the Teegarden Valley Homemaker’s Club. LaVera enjoyed clipping coupons and cutting Mike and her sons’ hair. Mike said he could not remember a haircut from anyone else after they got married. LaVera mostly enjoyed the many things she and Mike did together. Attending grandchildren’s activities, short rides in the country, riding in local parades in their antique cars, and senior citizen bus and boat trips. They looked forward to hosting Thanksgiving for their children and grandchildren every year. For the past few years, LaVera enjoyed dancing with other senior citizens and going out to Friday fish Fries with her sister-in-law Barb. LaVera will be remembered for the love she had for her family, as a caring wife, mother, and grandmother. LaVera was preceded in death by her husband Mike; her parents; a sister Darlene (Don) Baldwin; and a brother, Eugene Stratton, her brother-in-law, Don Baldwin, and niece, Amanda Birnstengel. LaVera is survived by three sons, Delvin (Debbie Link), Roger, and Curtis; two daughters, Christine (Anthony) Owens, Jenny; nine grandchildren; Stephanie (Christopher) Drinkman, Amber and Sarah Larson, Jessica Olson, Jacob (Saundra) Larson, Jordan (Stephanie) Chaffee, Kelsey Owens, Kyle Larson and Channer Schutts, five great-grandchildren, Devynn and Jaxin Olson, Khole and Kendra Larson, Nicole Drinkman all residing in the area. She is also survived by one sister Mary Ann (Norman) Gralow; two brothers, Duwayne Stratton and Merlin (Sue) Stratton; and a sister-in-law Brenda Stratton. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 5, 2018 at Christ Lutheran Church in Menomonie with Pastor Randy Skow-Anderson officiating. Burial will take place in Tramway Cemetery, Township of Menomonie, Dunn County. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.