65322_LaVera_Bruns
Sheffield — LaVera R. (Walker) Bruns passed away on Feb. 27, 2013 at Iowa Specialty Hospital-Belmond.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Latimer with Rev. Lindsey Braun presiding. Interment will be at Marion Township Cemetery, Latimer. Visitation will be from 3 until 5 p.m. today, Sunday, at the church in Latimer.
Retz Funeral Home in Sheffield is handling the arrangements.
LaVera was born April 9, 1913, on a farm southwest of Sheffield, just four miles from the farm she has lived at for the past 78 years. LaVera was the oldest child of Charles and Addie (Engebretson ) Walker. She was educated at Richland Center School, Richland Township and attended Sheffield High School. She also assisted her father with all the farming and chores.
In 1926 she started working as a hired girl for many families in the area.
LaVera was baptized and confirmed on March 25, 1934, by the Rev. C.J. Barth at the Evangelical Church, Marion Center, which is now the Immanuel United Church of Christ Church in Latimer.
On Dec. 12, 1935, she was united in marriage with Edd W. Bruns at the Congregational Church in Marion Center by the Rev. C.J. Barth. After they were married they moved north of Latimer to the farm where they spent their entire married life. To this union two daughters were born, Joyce and JoAnn.
LaVera was one of the first deaconesses of the church where she and her husband also served as youth counselors. She served on the decorating committee when the church and parsonage were being built. Her hobbies were crocheting, quilting, serving, genealogy, TOPS, reading, scrapbooking, canning, baking and gardening. With Edd she also enjoyed many camping trips, where they were members of the camping club B-CALM Weekenders.
At the age of 91 she still canned pickles and tomatoes, and at 96 was still making cherry pies for her great grandchildren to take to the 4-H food stand at the Franklin County Fair. LaVera loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren — “they are my pride and joy” — and they all have very fond memories of her. Her favorite thing was to spend time with her family, which included playing cards on Sundays for nickels and having a potluck with her siblings.
LaVera’s family includes her daughters: Joyce (James) Wenzel, Alexander, and JoAnn (James) Olk, Phoenix, Ariz.; five grandchildren: Jeff (Katie) Wenzel, Ventura, Jack (Rhonda) Wenzel, Latimer, Joellyn (Chris) Morrison, Scottsdale, Ariz., James T. Olk, Terlingua, Texas, Renee Anderson (friend Brian Bartz), Mason City; great-grandchildren, Kami, Kara and Kasen Wenzel, Jordann, Jackelyn and Justin Wenzel, Sydney and Mackenzie Morrison, Parker Bartz, Kalen and Bailey Ayers; brother, Clyde (Bernice) Walker, Hampton; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 68 years, Edd; her parents, Charles and Addie Walker; sisters, Delsie and Arlene Walker, Verda Meyer and Roberta Kramer.
Retz Funeral Home, 641-892-4241, www.retzfh.com.