Lavina S. Worman

Lavina S. Worman, age 96 of DeSoto, died Thursday morning, January 6, 2011. Lavina Smith Worman, 96, passed away peacefully on Jan. 6, 2011, in her home that she lived in for more than 46 years surrounded by her family. She was born in Red Mound on Sept. 1, 1914, to Nellie and Wesley Smith. She was united in marriage to Harold Worman on Aug. 9, 1934. Lavina and Harold shared wonderful years of marriage and were blessed with two daughters, Sharon and Linda. Lavina was a member of the De Soto Lutheran Church where she was a treasurer of the Faith Circle for many years. Lavina was a teacher in the De Soto area for 41 years and substituted for seven. She began her first year of her teaching career in 1934 at Battle Hollow. She moved onto Red Mound until 1937 and then continued at Coulee Valley where she stayed until 1948. From 1948 until 1950 she taught at Sunnyside and then in De Soto until 1952. From there she taught at Riverside until 1954, and taught in Ferryville the following year. Lavina finished off her teaching career in De Soto from 1959 until 1983. Throughout the 41 years, Lavina taught grades 1-8 as well as social studies for grades 7-8. Lavina loved teaching, was an advocate for her students and even tutored through summer months. She retired from teaching in 1983. Lavina was a loving, caring, warm-hearted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother. She cared for her animals as much as she cared for other people. She did her "chores" each day by feeding and caring for all of the local cats and dogs, while even opening up her home to many, many cats and dogs in which she continued to care for up to two days before she passed away. Lavina believed that all animals were Gods creatures. Her family believed that this was one of her God-given gifts, to minister to animals with love and care. Lavinas nurturing hand grew roses, tulips, sunflowers, tomatoes and sugar snap peas. She was often in the kitchen rolling dough for sugar cookies, pies and cinnamon rolls. Concerned about the world she lived in, Lavina watched the news and wrote politicians to give voice to the vulnerable people who needed a champion. A humble woman, her first thought was never for herself but only for others.Lavina is survived by her daughters, Sharon (Harlan) Bolster of Mesa, Ariz., and Linda (Harold) Everson of De Soto. Sharon Bolsters family includes Lavinas grandchildren, Perry (Laura) Bolster of Tempe, Ariz.; Jeannine Adams of San Diego, Calif.; Kristin (Van) Patterson of Phoenix, Ariz.; and great-grandchildren, Elle Adams; Haley Bolster; Alexis Adams; Erik Bolster.Linda Eversons family includes Lavinas grandchildren, Laurie (Tim) Manning of Lansing, Iowa; Lisa (Jim) Troendle of Dorchester, Iowa; Jeannette (Erik) Wuensch of La Crosse; Lynn (Richard) Tully of La Crosse; and Julie (Steve) Ingram of La Crescent, Minn.; great-grandchildren, Noelle (Clint) Mohn; La Trisha Manning, Chad (Crystal) Everson; Jessica and Kristina Ekern; Zach Tully; Tyler Manning; Alex Wuensch; Jason and Cory Ingram; Rachel Tully; Ashley Ingram; and Lydia Lavina Tully; step-grandchildren, Chad (Trudi) Troendle; Audrey Gibbs; Jason (Brooke) Troendle; Michelle (Brad) Carpenter; and Nick Troendle; great-great-grandchildren, Mallory, Mason and Morgan Mohn; and step-great-grandchildren.She is also survived by her sister, Jean Fischer of Redding, Calif., and nieces and nephews.She is preceded in death by her loving husband, parents, sister and brothers. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. A named memorial scholarship will be given to students who will be seeking degrees in education and the veterinarian field. Visitation will be on Sunday, Jan. 9, at 1-4 p.m. at the De Soto Lutheran Church, and funeral services will be at the same location on Monday, Jan. 10, at 11 a.m. Pastor Doug Andersen and Pastor Libby Howe will share the message. Thank you to Gunderson Lutheran Hospice for your compassionate help. Lavina Worman will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same, but as God calls us one by one the chain will link again.Love you, love you, love you. The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of DeSoto is serving the family.