Vavra, Vernon E. 1932-1996

VAVRA, STUMBO, FRAHM, BELL, VEVERKA, RUDOLPH, KRIEGEL

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 2/21/2011 at 09:47:01

The Montezuma Republican; Nov. 6, 1996

VERNON E. VAVRA, 64

Vernon E. (Jake) Vavra, 64, of Montezuma, died Monday, Oct. 28, 1996 at his home.

Funeral services were held Thursday, Oct. 31, at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Tama. The Rev. William Biederman, Ft. Collins, Colorado and the Rev. Ronald Arends, Tama, Iowa, officiated. Organist was Jody Karkosh. Music selections included "Nearer My God to Thee," "Blest Be The Tie That Binds," "Amazing Grace," "Abide With Me," and "Softly and Tenderly." Casket bearers were Fred Schaper, J.L. Seal, Norman Werner, Milton Peck, Lyle Kramer, Jerry Rhoads, Cecil Hulsey, Allan Young, Lynn Brown and Monte Porter. Burial was in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Tama, Iowa.

Vernon E. (Jake) Vavra, son of Joseph L. and Vivian D. Stumbo was born February 18, 1932 in Boone, Iowa.

Jake graduated from Tama High School in 1950 and attended Parsons College in Fairfield. He was active in athletics both in college and in high school. He and his family were charter members of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Marion, Iowa, in which Jake was very active. He loved to fish, golf, hunt and create heirloom woodworking items. Jake also had a private pilots license and enjoyed flying.

Jake was united in marriage with Betty A. Frahm on January 26, 1951, at Triniity Lutheran Church in Malcom. They have six children.

Before his retirement in 1993, Jake was plant manager at the Farmington, Mo., division of LeFerbure of Cedar Rapids. He was responsible for the construction and management of two plants. In the 1960's he was the Engineering Editor for the Machine and Tool Bluebook in Wheaton, Ill. At one time he was owner and publisher of the New Sharon Star, New Sharon, Iowa. For the past 1-1/2 years they have made their home northeast of Motnezuma.

He is preceded in death by his father, Joseph Vavra.

Jake is survived by his wife, Betty of Montezuma and their family: Michael Lee and Nuan Vavra, Singapore; Charles John Vavra, Hanlontown, Iowa; Randall Lynn and Sue Vavra of Australia; James Alan Vavra of Keosauqua; Lisa Anne and Steven Bell, Oskaloosa; and Christine Lynne and Steven VeVerka of Montezuma; twelve grandchildren; Monica Rudolph, Rachel and Brian Vavra, Vernon and Ryan Vavra, Jessica and Jamie Vavra, Andrew and Matthew Bell, and Elliot, Nathaniel and Logan VeVerka; one great-grandchild: Elijah Rudolph; Jake's mother, Vivian Vavra of Tama; two sisters, Norma Kriegel of Tama, and Beverly Kriegel of Marion.

Memorials can be made to the Jake Vavra Memorial Fund, c/o Mrs. Betty Vavra, 4620 V18 Road, Montezuma, Iowa, 50171.