Lavina M. Hofer, 85, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at Bay Area Medical Center of Marinette, WI with her family by her side. Lavina was born on April 29, 1931, in Menominee, to the late John and Lucille (Schleihs) Kehoe.
Lavina is survived by all seven of her sons who still live in Menominee: John (Mary), Fred Jr. (Sue), Jim (Kelly), Tom, Chris (Maggie), Sam (Debbie) and Tony (Lynn).
She also had three foreign exchange 'sons': Claude Martin (France), Mohammed Kasukari (Kenya) and Louis Feliz y Feliz (Dominican Republic).
She took great joy in her grandchildren, many who were girls (finally!): Kimberly (Dustin) Mudrak, David, Jennifer (Hofer) Henry, Francie (Brian) Robertson, Stephen (Megan), Mary Hofer, Katie, Jason, Amy, Emma and Josie, Riley Hegg, Jennifer Lemire (Charles) Stansberry, Andrew Lynwood, Chase LaCombe and special loved boys, Nick and Alex Thanos.
Her great-grandchildren, if not all near, were also dear to her heart (thank goodness for Facebook!): Amara Mudrak, Lucy and Edward Robertson, Chloe and Charlotte Hofer, Daxton and Jett Hofer, Audrina Hofer, Fiona Hobson, and Elijah and Ella Henry.
She is also survived by a brother, Jim,
and brother- in-law, Don (Doris) Hofer,
and sisters-in-law: Eleanore "Boots" Giese, Regis Hofer and Alice Mae Hellermann.
She was proceeded in death by her husband and love of her life, Fred; her brother, Jack (Margaret) Kehoe; her brothers-in-law: William, Dean Fessenden, Louie Hellermann, Richard "Gizzle" Hofer, Glen Roy "Roundy" Hofer, Robert "Spider" Hofer, and sisters-in-law: Doris Fessenden, Nancy Hofer, and Alice Hofer.
There was really only one Lavina. She graduated from Menominee High School in 1949 and remained an active member of the committee that organized many class reunions over the years. As a high school student, she loved orchestra, football games and hanging out at Garbell's.
She met her husband Fred in her senior year and they were married in 1951.
During her life she worked as a beautician, a wife and a mother. She also found her true calling – giving back to her community.
Lavina was committed to the Menominee school system. She was an officer for the local regional and state PTAs and was host chair of two state PTA conventions in Menominee. She was a three-time housing chairperson for the UP Community School Winter Games, chairperson for numerous school millage campaigns, a high school cheerleader advisor, and a host family for three students through the AFS Foreign Exchange program. Her involvement extended into the community as well. She served as president of the Menominee Chamber Women's Division, president of the Menominee Women's Club, chairperson of the United Way, President of the DAR Boys and Girls Club, Welcome Wagon Hostess, a Spies Public Library board member, and founder of the Menominee Lioness Club. If you bought a ticket to a raffle or fundraiser, chances are you bought it from Lavina. She also served as an elder, deacon and superintendent of the Christian Education program in the First Presbyterian Church of Menominee.
Lavina also allowed her basement to be used for 44 years as the home of the Hofer Ping Pong Tournament. Her community commitment was recognized often through the years: The UP Community Education Frank J. Manley Award, MEA Layperson of the Year, Menominee Herald-Leader Community Service Award, American Legion Recognition for Service, WAGN Community Rose Award, DAR Boys and Girls Club Woman and Boy Award, MEA Apple of Our Eye Award, the WAGN Distinguished Services Award. And in 1996 she was presented with the 1996 Michigan Governor's Lifetime Achievement in Community Service by Governor John Engler. In 1994, Lavina's first granddaughter, Kim, interviewed her for that year's 'Menominee Remembered.' Kim closed the article with this:
"I have been blessed with a very beautiful life, Grandma said. I didn't move from Menominee. My seven sons live here in Menominee so I have family close. I've never had a big illness, I've had nothing to complain about. We weren't always able to buy a lot of material things, with raising seven sons. But those things are not really important when you get down to your family and your health.
"So when the last question was finally answered, she fixed me a sandwich and a glass of milk and it looked to me like she had been moved to tears. I finished eating and she brought me home. I thanked her for spending time with me and she drove away."
Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, February 11 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church on 10th Avenue in Menominee, and will be followed by a funeral service at 4 p.m. at the church with Pastor Jon Nelson officiating. A luncheon at the church will follow.
© Cadieu-Thielen Funeral Home is assisting the family.
published Marinette EagleHerald, February 9, 2017 page 5
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lavina is survived by all seven of her sons who still live in Menominee: John (Mary), Fred Jr. (Sue), Jim (Kelly), Tom, Chris (Maggie), Sam (Debbie) and Tony (Lynn).
She also had three foreign exchange 'sons': Claude Martin (France), Mohammed Kasukari (Kenya) and Louis Feliz y Feliz (Dominican Republic).
She took great joy in her grandchildren, many who were girls (finally!): Kimberly (Dustin) Mudrak, David, Jennifer (Hofer) Henry, Francie (Brian) Robertson, Stephen (Megan), Mary Hofer, Katie, Jason, Amy, Emma and Josie, Riley Hegg, Jennifer Lemire (Charles) Stansberry, Andrew Lynwood, Chase LaCombe and special loved boys, Nick and Alex Thanos.
Her great-grandchildren, if not all near, were also dear to her heart (thank goodness for Facebook!): Amara Mudrak, Lucy and Edward Robertson, Chloe and Charlotte Hofer, Daxton and Jett Hofer, Audrina Hofer, Fiona Hobson, and Elijah and Ella Henry.
She is also survived by a brother, Jim,
and brother- in-law, Don (Doris) Hofer,
and sisters-in-law: Eleanore "Boots" Giese, Regis Hofer and Alice Mae Hellermann.
She was proceeded in death by her husband and love of her life, Fred; her brother, Jack (Margaret) Kehoe; her brothers-in-law: William, Dean Fessenden, Louie Hellermann, Richard "Gizzle" Hofer, Glen Roy "Roundy" Hofer, Robert "Spider" Hofer, and sisters-in-law: Doris Fessenden, Nancy Hofer, and Alice Hofer.
There was really only one Lavina. She graduated from Menominee High School in 1949 and remained an active member of the committee that organized many class reunions over the years. As a high school student, she loved orchestra, football games and hanging out at Garbell's.
She met her husband Fred in her senior year and they were married in 1951.
During her life she worked as a beautician, a wife and a mother. She also found her true calling – giving back to her community.
Lavina was committed to the Menominee school system. She was an officer for the local regional and state PTAs and was host chair of two state PTA conventions in Menominee. She was a three-time housing chairperson for the UP Community School Winter Games, chairperson for numerous school millage campaigns, a high school cheerleader advisor, and a host family for three students through the AFS Foreign Exchange program. Her involvement extended into the community as well. She served as president of the Menominee Chamber Women's Division, president of the Menominee Women's Club, chairperson of the United Way, President of the DAR Boys and Girls Club, Welcome Wagon Hostess, a Spies Public Library board member, and founder of the Menominee Lioness Club. If you bought a ticket to a raffle or fundraiser, chances are you bought it from Lavina. She also served as an elder, deacon and superintendent of the Christian Education program in the First Presbyterian Church of Menominee.
Lavina also allowed her basement to be used for 44 years as the home of the Hofer Ping Pong Tournament. Her community commitment was recognized often through the years: The UP Community Education Frank J. Manley Award, MEA Layperson of the Year, Menominee Herald-Leader Community Service Award, American Legion Recognition for Service, WAGN Community Rose Award, DAR Boys and Girls Club Woman and Boy Award, MEA Apple of Our Eye Award, the WAGN Distinguished Services Award. And in 1996 she was presented with the 1996 Michigan Governor's Lifetime Achievement in Community Service by Governor John Engler. In 1994, Lavina's first granddaughter, Kim, interviewed her for that year's 'Menominee Remembered.' Kim closed the article with this:
"I have been blessed with a very beautiful life, Grandma said. I didn't move from Menominee. My seven sons live here in Menominee so I have family close. I've never had a big illness, I've had nothing to complain about. We weren't always able to buy a lot of material things, with raising seven sons. But those things are not really important when you get down to your family and your health.
"So when the last question was finally answered, she fixed me a sandwich and a glass of milk and it looked to me like she had been moved to tears. I finished eating and she brought me home. I thanked her for spending time with me and she drove away."
Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, February 11 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church on 10th Avenue in Menominee, and will be followed by a funeral service at 4 p.m. at the church with Pastor Jon Nelson officiating. A luncheon at the church will follow.
© Cadieu-Thielen Funeral Home is assisting the family.
published Marinette EagleHerald, February 9, 2017 page 5
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lavina M. Hofer, 85, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at Bay Area Medical Center of Marinette, WI with her family by her side. Lavina was born on April 29, 1931, in Menominee, to the late John and Lucille (Schleihs) Kehoe.
Lavina is survived by all seven of her sons who still live in Menominee: John (Mary), Fred Jr. (Sue), Jim (Kelly), Tom, Chris (Maggie), Sam (Debbie) and Tony (Lynn).
She also had three foreign exchange 'sons': Claude Martin (France), Mohammed Kasukari (Kenya) and Louis Feliz y Feliz (Dominican Republic).
She took great joy in her grandchildren, many who were girls (finally!): Kimberly (Dustin) Mudrak, David, Jennifer (Hofer) Henry, Francie (Brian) Robertson, Stephen (Megan), Mary Hofer, Katie, Jason, Amy, Emma and Josie, Riley Hegg, Jennifer Lemire (Charles) Stansberry, Andrew Lynwood, Chase LaCombe and special loved boys, Nick and Alex Thanos.
Her great-grandchildren, if not all near, were also dear to her heart (thank goodness for Facebook!): Amara Mudrak, Lucy and Edward Robertson, Chloe and Charlotte Hofer, Daxton and Jett Hofer, Audrina Hofer, Fiona Hobson, and Elijah and Ella Henry.
She is also survived by a brother, Jim,
and brother- in-law, Don (Doris) Hofer,
and sisters-in-law: Eleanore "Boots" Giese, Regis Hofer and Alice Mae Hellermann.
She was proceeded in death by her husband and love of her life, Fred; her brother, Jack (Margaret) Kehoe; her brothers-in-law: William, Dean Fessenden, Louie Hellermann, Richard "Gizzle" Hofer, Glen Roy "Roundy" Hofer, Robert "Spider" Hofer, and sisters-in-law: Doris Fessenden, Nancy Hofer, and Alice Hofer.
There was really only one Lavina. She graduated from Menominee High School in 1949 and remained an active member of the committee that organized many class reunions over the years. As a high school student, she loved orchestra, football games and hanging out at Garbell's.
She met her husband Fred in her senior year and they were married in 1951.
During her life she worked as a beautician, a wife and a mother. She also found her true calling – giving back to her community.
Lavina was committed to the Menominee school system. She was an officer for the local regional and state PTAs and was host chair of two state PTA conventions in Menominee. She was a three-time housing chairperson for the UP Community School Winter Games, chairperson for numerous school millage campaigns, a high school cheerleader advisor, and a host family for three students through the AFS Foreign Exchange program. Her involvement extended into the community as well. She served as president of the Menominee Chamber Women's Division, president of the Menominee Women's Club, chairperson of the United Way, President of the DAR Boys and Girls Club, Welcome Wagon Hostess, a Spies Public Library board member, and founder of the Menominee Lioness Club. If you bought a ticket to a raffle or fundraiser, chances are you bought it from Lavina. She also served as an elder, deacon and superintendent of the Christian Education program in the First Presbyterian Church of Menominee.
Lavina also allowed her basement to be used for 44 years as the home of the Hofer Ping Pong Tournament. Her community commitment was recognized often through the years: The UP Community Education Frank J. Manley Award, MEA Layperson of the Year, Menominee Herald-Leader Community Service Award, American Legion Recognition for Service, WAGN Community Rose Award, DAR Boys and Girls Club Woman and Boy Award, MEA Apple of Our Eye Award, the WAGN Distinguished Services Award. And in 1996 she was presented with the 1996 Michigan Governor's Lifetime Achievement in Community Service by Governor John Engler. In 1994, Lavina's first granddaughter, Kim, interviewed her for that year's 'Menominee Remembered.' Kim closed the article with this:
"I have been blessed with a very beautiful life, Grandma said. I didn't move from Menominee. My seven sons live here in Menominee so I have family close. I've never had a big illness, I've had nothing to complain about. We weren't always able to buy a lot of material things, with raising seven sons. But those things are not really important when you get down to your family and your health.
"So when the last question was finally answered, she fixed me a sandwich and a glass of milk and it looked to me like she had been moved to tears. I finished eating and she brought me home. I thanked her for spending time with me and she drove away."
Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, February 11 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church on 10th Avenue in Menominee, and will be followed by a funeral service at 4 p.m. at the church with Pastor Jon Nelson officiating. A luncheon at the church will follow.
© Cadieu-Thielen Funeral Home is assisting the family.
published Marinette EagleHerald, February 9, 2017 page 5
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lavina is survived by all seven of her sons who still live in Menominee: John (Mary), Fred Jr. (Sue), Jim (Kelly), Tom, Chris (Maggie), Sam (Debbie) and Tony (Lynn).
She also had three foreign exchange 'sons': Claude Martin (France), Mohammed Kasukari (Kenya) and Louis Feliz y Feliz (Dominican Republic).
She took great joy in her grandchildren, many who were girls (finally!): Kimberly (Dustin) Mudrak, David, Jennifer (Hofer) Henry, Francie (Brian) Robertson, Stephen (Megan), Mary Hofer, Katie, Jason, Amy, Emma and Josie, Riley Hegg, Jennifer Lemire (Charles) Stansberry, Andrew Lynwood, Chase LaCombe and special loved boys, Nick and Alex Thanos.
Her great-grandchildren, if not all near, were also dear to her heart (thank goodness for Facebook!): Amara Mudrak, Lucy and Edward Robertson, Chloe and Charlotte Hofer, Daxton and Jett Hofer, Audrina Hofer, Fiona Hobson, and Elijah and Ella Henry.
She is also survived by a brother, Jim,
and brother- in-law, Don (Doris) Hofer,
and sisters-in-law: Eleanore "Boots" Giese, Regis Hofer and Alice Mae Hellermann.
She was proceeded in death by her husband and love of her life, Fred; her brother, Jack (Margaret) Kehoe; her brothers-in-law: William, Dean Fessenden, Louie Hellermann, Richard "Gizzle" Hofer, Glen Roy "Roundy" Hofer, Robert "Spider" Hofer, and sisters-in-law: Doris Fessenden, Nancy Hofer, and Alice Hofer.
There was really only one Lavina. She graduated from Menominee High School in 1949 and remained an active member of the committee that organized many class reunions over the years. As a high school student, she loved orchestra, football games and hanging out at Garbell's.
She met her husband Fred in her senior year and they were married in 1951.
During her life she worked as a beautician, a wife and a mother. She also found her true calling – giving back to her community.
Lavina was committed to the Menominee school system. She was an officer for the local regional and state PTAs and was host chair of two state PTA conventions in Menominee. She was a three-time housing chairperson for the UP Community School Winter Games, chairperson for numerous school millage campaigns, a high school cheerleader advisor, and a host family for three students through the AFS Foreign Exchange program. Her involvement extended into the community as well. She served as president of the Menominee Chamber Women's Division, president of the Menominee Women's Club, chairperson of the United Way, President of the DAR Boys and Girls Club, Welcome Wagon Hostess, a Spies Public Library board member, and founder of the Menominee Lioness Club. If you bought a ticket to a raffle or fundraiser, chances are you bought it from Lavina. She also served as an elder, deacon and superintendent of the Christian Education program in the First Presbyterian Church of Menominee.
Lavina also allowed her basement to be used for 44 years as the home of the Hofer Ping Pong Tournament. Her community commitment was recognized often through the years: The UP Community Education Frank J. Manley Award, MEA Layperson of the Year, Menominee Herald-Leader Community Service Award, American Legion Recognition for Service, WAGN Community Rose Award, DAR Boys and Girls Club Woman and Boy Award, MEA Apple of Our Eye Award, the WAGN Distinguished Services Award. And in 1996 she was presented with the 1996 Michigan Governor's Lifetime Achievement in Community Service by Governor John Engler. In 1994, Lavina's first granddaughter, Kim, interviewed her for that year's 'Menominee Remembered.' Kim closed the article with this:
"I have been blessed with a very beautiful life, Grandma said. I didn't move from Menominee. My seven sons live here in Menominee so I have family close. I've never had a big illness, I've had nothing to complain about. We weren't always able to buy a lot of material things, with raising seven sons. But those things are not really important when you get down to your family and your health.
"So when the last question was finally answered, she fixed me a sandwich and a glass of milk and it looked to me like she had been moved to tears. I finished eating and she brought me home. I thanked her for spending time with me and she drove away."
Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, February 11 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church on 10th Avenue in Menominee, and will be followed by a funeral service at 4 p.m. at the church with Pastor Jon Nelson officiating. A luncheon at the church will follow.
© Cadieu-Thielen Funeral Home is assisting the family.
published Marinette EagleHerald, February 9, 2017 page 5
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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