Lavern Viola Laga

Lavern Viola Laga (Kreutzman) went to spend her eternal life with friends and family March 11, 2011. Lavern was born November 15, 1922 in the Town of Center to Carl and Irene (Horn) Kreutzman. Lavern spent her childhood with her mother and father on their family farm where she spoke of many happy memories.

Lavern graduated from Appleton High School in 1941 and continued on to Bellin School of Nursing on a full scholarship, she graduated in 1945..She spent most of her nursing career at Appleton Memorial Hospital, where she met many lifelong friends. She enjoyed being a nurse and took a lot of pride in her job. She met the “love of her life” while in nurses training at Wood Veterans Hospital in Milwaukee. The way the story goes she was walking down the hall “when a wet mop flew out of a door across my spotless white shoes” it was love at first sight. They had nothing in common, the only child of a Wisconsin farm family and a Chicago boy from a family of nine with different religions were married June 21, 1946 and had a love that lasted 42 years until Chuck preceded her in death in 1988. They had five children and a beautiful life together. They loved traveling, square dancing, camping, bowling, boating and spending time with their many friends and family. Lavern loved spending time with her children, seven grandchildren, and was overjoyed to show off her five great grandchildren (whom she referred to as “the Greats”).

Lavern is survived by her three daughters, Kay Laga of Appleton, Lynn (Mike) Loeper of Appleton, Jill (Mark) Beyer of Appleton, daughter-in-law, Carol Laga of Appleton; seven grandchildren, Cori (Doug) Arizola of Appleton, Joy (Brook) Nienhaus of Darboy, Luke (Emily) Laga of Milwaukee, Michelle (Nick) Wales of Appleton, Tim (Vanessa) Beyer of Eau Claire, Troy Beyer of Eau Claire, and Lauren Beyer of Appleton; five great grandchildren, Braeden Meidam, of Appleton, Giovanni Arizola of Appleton, Anna Berthelette of Darboy, Kyra Arizola of Appleton, and Spencer Laga of Milwaukee; and her loving companion, her cat, Barney. Lavern had many “friends who helped me so much in my golden years”, Shirley Hartfield, Babe Martens, Fae Jahnke, John Belonger, BJ Barnes, and especially Carol Sexton. Lavern also had many special cousins, Shirley Schaab, Sharie (Deke) Vandenberg, Clayton and Marilyn Kreutzman, Connie Hayes, Howard and Donna Horn. She had many special friends from her “GG’s” and Alanon.

Lavern was welcomed into Heaven by her parents, her husband, two sons, Jim and Tim Foster brother, Orville Gass, and foster sister, Mildred Trunk, as well as many, many special friends and her dogs Buster and Chang.

Funeral service for Lavern will be held on Monday March 14, 2011 at 3:00 P.M. at FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF CHRIST 724 East South River Street, with Rev. Stephen Savides officiating. Visitation will be at the church on Monday beginning at 1:00 P.M. until the 3:00 P.M. service. Burial will be at Highland Memorial Park.

Lavern was a caring, vivacious woman who brought joy to everyone she came in contact with. Everyone who met her wanted to be her friend. Her infectious smile will be remembered on every sunny day as it shines on the birds and trees she enjoyed so much.

The family would like to thank the staff at Appleton Medical Center and Hospice, for your kindness and support of our friends and family while we said our final goodbyes. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established.

Wichmann Funeral Home
537 N Superior Street
Appleton, Wisconsin
(920) 739-1231