Rosemary K ‘Rosie’ Lavender, 30 Aug 1952 - 22 May 2013

LAVENDER, DUFFY, GAFFEY, DHONDT, HARRIS, MARTINSON

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 6/3/2013 at 12:55:46

The Williamsburg Journal Tribune, 30 May 2013
Published May 25, 2013 in The Gazette

Rosemary Lavender, 60

Celebration of life service for Rosemary “Rosie” K. Lavender, 60, Parnell, was held at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 26, at the Powell Funeral Home, Williamsburg. She died suddenly Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at her home in Parnell.

Burial was in St. Joseph Cemetery, Parnell.

Casket bearers were Todd Wehner, Tony Safina, Mitch Hanson, Jonathan Ollendick, Michael Martinson, John Schropp, John Lewis and Brandon Schrock. Honorary casket bearers were Brian Shaull, Dave Donohoe, James Kelly, Lloyd Schropp, Colleen Schropp, Caroline Lewis, Nedra Dhondt and Samra Ollendick.

A general memorial fund has been established.

Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.

Rosemary Kaye Duffy Lavender was born Aug. 30, 1952, in Sigourney, the daughter of Shirley Duffy. “Inky,” as she was called, was adopted and raised by her grandparents, Leo P. and Regina (Gaffey) Duffy. She grew up in Parnell and graduated from Williamsburg High School. She later attended nursing school in Huntington Beach, Calif., where she reunited with her mother.

She returned to Parnell and her Irish roots and married Jerry Dhondt. They had one son, Jared. They later divorced.

She later married Lars Lavender March 17, 1997, at the Little Brown Church, Nashua. She worked at the University of Iowa Hospitals for 20-plus years before retiring.

Her special joy in family and friends around the Parnell area was well known. Her many interests and loves included “junking,” finding Irish memorabilia and gardening. She had a passion for books, reading and traveling. She lived for St. Patrick’s Day and loved her cats and dogs but most of all, caring for her beloved granddaughter, Autumn Regina Dhondt.

Lavender is survived by her husband, Laurence “Lars,” Parnell; one son, Jared Nathan Dhondt, and a granddaughter, Autumn Dhondt, all Parnell; one stepsister, Rosiemarie and Kevin Harris, Kansas City, Kan., and a halfbrother, Steve Martinson, Coralville.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Shirley Martinson, and her grandparents, Leo and Regina Duffy.