Obit: Johnson, Lavern D. (1929 - 2014)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Johnson, Gray, Franz, Baumgart, Pester, Nelson, Behm, Gendreau, Boelter, Leitz, Grimm, Jadack

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, Wis.) 30 Apr 2014

Johnson, Lavern D. (21 APR 1929 - 24 APR 2014)

Lavern D. Johnson, 85, Wisconsin Rapids, died on Thursday, April 24, 2014, at her residence. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., on Monday, April 28, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Wisconsin Rapids. Rev. Rolando Onden officiated. Burial will be held at a later date at Calvary Cemetery.

Lavern Gray was born on April 21, 1929, in Loyal, to Alfred and Clara (nee Franz) Gray. She married Earl P. Johnson on Dec. 31, 1949, at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Wisconsin Rapids. He died in 1961. Lavern was the receptionist at the Opportunity Development Center in Wisconsin Rapids for 15 years, retiring on June 30, 1991. She had a profound faith and love for her family and friends. She also enjoyed reading, going for walks and traveling.

Lavern is survived by two sons, Donald (Linda) Johnson, Coeur D' Alene, Idaho, and Randolph (Jocelyn) Johnson, Wisconsin Rapids; five daughters, Judy Johnson, Wisconsin Rapids, Julie Baumgart, Nekoosa, Pamela (Mark) Pester, Merrill, Debra (friend Harlan) Nelson, Port Edwards, and Laurie (Roger) Behm, Wisconsin Rapids; 23 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; one sister, Gerry Gendreau, Pequot Lake, Minn.; a daughter-in-law, Lori Johnson, Wisconsin Rapids; four sisters-in-law, Jane Gray, Ruth Boelter, Dorothy Leitz and Katherine Grimm; and a brother-in-law, Victor Jadack.

Lavern was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Earl; a brother, Kenneth Gray; and many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to the UW Cancer Center at Riverview Hospital.

Ritchay Funeral Home, Wisconsin Rapids, assisted the family with arrangements.