June G. Lavene

Funeral Services for June G. LaVene will be conducted from the United Methodist Church in Bertrand, Nebraska on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. with the Reverend Connie Karr, officiating. Interment will be in the Elwood Cemetery at Elwood, Nebraska.

June Glenrose LaVene, 87 years of age, of Bertrand, Nebraska, passed away on Thursday, May 24, 2007 at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege, Nebraska. June was born on June 6, 1919 on the family farm north of Smithfield in Gosper County, Nebraska, the youngest child of Frank and Josephine (Nutzman) Lewis. She received her education in rural Gosper County and also at Smithfield.

Following her education, June was united in marriage on January 10, 1940 to Lloyd E. LaVene and to this union five children were born: Lloyd Allen, Phyllis Lea, Glenis Dean, Barbara Jane and Richard Dale. The family made their home on the family farm south of Smithfield until later moving to Norman, Nebraska. While at Norman, June joined the First United Methodist Church of Norman and focused on raising their children. In the mid-1940's they returned to the family farm south of Smithfield and engaged in farming, where June worked side-by-side with her husband, Lloyd. On November 10, 1976 she was preceded in death by Lloyd. In 1977, June moved into Bertrand, where she continued to reside until her passing. She enjoyed babysitting for her neighbors, and also was employed by the Bertrand Nursing Home and lastly at the Bertrand School.

June loved to watch baseball, embroidery work, shopping with her friends and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed the friendship bonds formed through the years in her coffee group. June was a member of the United Methodist Church in Bertrand, where she was active in many capacities.

She leaves to mourn her passing her two sons: Glenis LaVene of south of Smithfield and Richard LaVene and his wife, Shirley of Loomis, Nebraska; one daughter, Barb Stehl and her husband, Ralph of Bertrand; three grandchildren: Brenda Johnson and her husband, Jerry of Bertrand, Bretta Lund and her husband, Scott of Bertrand and Randall LaVene and his wife, Melanie of Richmond, Missouri; six great-grandchildren: Jay, Keshia, Zeb, Jessetta, Jose and Ryley; sisters-in-law: Vauna Lewis of Edison, Nebraska, Rose Wilken of Bertrand and Valva York of Joplin, Missouri; brother-in-law, Paul LaVene and his wife, Dorothy of Bertrand; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Lloyd Allen; one daughter, Phyllis Lea; granddaughter, Tammy LaVene; two brothers: Wayne in infancy and Ores Lewis; two sisters: Evelyn Robbins and her husband, Kenneth and Anna Meyer and her husband, Ernest.

Mrs. LaVene will lie in state at the Sandstrom Funeral Home in Bertrand on Sunday, May 27, 2007 from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. A memorial has been established in her memory.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Sandstrom Funeral Home in Bertrand is in charge of the arrangements.