Lavrenz, Velma M. (1934-2011)

LAVRENZ, WEISKE, OLLUM, ANDERSON, HEABERLIN, STECKER, SHAFFER

Posted By: Colleen J Ossman (email)
Date: 4/18/2011 at 16:26:09

Webster City Daily Freeman Journal, March 30. 2011.

Velma Lavrenz, 77, died on March 26 at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hubbard. Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at Boeke Funeral Home in Hubbard.

Boeke Funeral Home, Hubbard, Iowa.

Velma Lavrenz, age 77, of Hubbard died Saturday, March 26, 2011 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, IA.

Velma Maxine (Weiske) Lavrenz was born on February 25, 1934, at Burt, Iowa in Kossouth County to Helen Ollum and Edwin Weiske.

She attended Burt Community School. While in high school, Velma began playing the organ at her church, a career that has spanned nearly 60 years.

On May 9, 1954, she married Raymond Lavrenz, also of Burt, Iowa. To that marriage, seven children were born. Velma and Raymond moved to Stratford, Iowa, where she began managing the community swimming pool. Velma continued sharing her gift of music as organist at her church in Stratford.

In 1970, Velma and family re-located to Hubbard, where she quickly got involved in the community. She served on several community boards, was a member of the Legion Auxiliary, as well as, managing the Hubbard Swimming Pool for many years, and to this day is still known as “The
Swimming Pool Lady”.

Velma thoroughly enjoyed meeting people and took great pleasure working at the grocery store, Hubbard Variety Store, Iowa Farm Families Meat and as hostess at the Zederbaum Restaurant.

Velma’s greatest joy came in serving her Lord. A year after moving to Hubbard, she began playing the organ at St. John’s Lutheran Church, a position she held for 40 years, until her death. She also served on many committees in the church, LWML president, as well as directing Jr. and Sr. choirs, VBS and as accompanist for special music.

Velma is survived by four sons, Pastor Mark Lavrenz of Mason City, Iowa, John (Lee) Lavrenz of Gillette, Wyoming, Tim (Cindy) Lavrenz of Garden City, Kansas and Tom (Julie) Lavrenz of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; three daughters Ruth Lavrenz of Kokomo, Indiana, Elizabeth (James) Anderson of Odebolt, Iowa and Deborah Heaberlin of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; seventeen grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; her sisters Judy Stecker and Myrna Shaffer; along with other nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond in 2009, mother and father, four brothers and one sister.

Let us give thanks to God for the life and memory of Velma M. Lavrenz.