LaVeta Ruth Lungwitz

LaVeta Ruth Lungwitz

1935-2016

LaVeta was born July 20, 1935 in Yuma, Colorado to Fredrick and Carolina Buethe, in the home she resided in all 80 years of her life. She was the 3rd of 3 children. She was baptized and confirmed in St. John’s Lutheran Church in Yuma. Her commitment to St. John’s was life long and she especially enjoyed her involvement with the choir and bible study group. She also served as treasurer for many years. She frequently wore a beautiful hat on Sundays to express the joy her faith brought her.

LaVeta attended Lutheran parochial school during her elementary school years and attended Yuma High School where she graduated with honors.

In 1954, she married Leroy Lungwitz. They bought a farm where they raised their 3 children, Karen, Tracy and Carol. They grew wheat and feed crops, raised pigs and had a dairy and haying operation. LaVeta and Leroy divorced in 1987 but continued to share the farm work for years to come.

LaVeta also worked retail for several businesses in Yuma, including Aten’s Department Store until it closed operations. Customers and co-workers enjoyed her never ending smile and helpful nature. And LaVeta cherished the life-long friendships she made with them. She was a stranger to no one.

LaVeta’s love for sports began during her school years. She participated in basketball, volleyball and clowns but her favorite sport by far was softball (playing pitcher or 1st baseman). Her enjoyment of sports continued throughout her life. She encouraged her children to participate in sports, spent hours upon hours driving them to practices, and rarely (if ever) missed a game. And as of late, she rarely missed a Colorado Rockies or Denver Broncos game, usually listening to the play by play on the radio.

LaVeta discovered another passion later in life. She began traveling the U.S. with Yuma’s local travel group and quickly began booking trips almost as often as they became available. She loved to learn the history of other parts of America. And once again, she cherished the friendships she developed with her travel partners. The last, and most memorable trip she made was to LaVeta, Colorado for her 75th birthday. The Aten’s crew organized the trip and showed her the time of her life.

LaVeta was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Dorothy; brothers-in-law, Gilbert Diedrichs and Erb Spicknall and nephew, Don Spicknall.

She is survived by her children, Karen and husband, Marcus Stanley, Tracy and Deb, Carol and husband, Phil Walczynski, grandchildren Mindy and Chris Fillmore, Mitch and Steph Theis, Holly and Kyle Morehouse, Hope and Nate Johnson, Jeremiah and Jackie Lungwitz, Josh and Hannah Lungwitz, Mike and Amanda Kerbs, Tim Kerbs, and Sarah Kerbs, and great grandchildren, Hayden, Alexander and Lukas Fillmore, Micah, Eden, Caleb, Ezekiel, Joshua, Malachi, Tirzah, Obidiah, Mercy and Genesis Theis, Hailey, Audrey, Aidan, Tamiah, Kya and Zion Morehouse, Tristan and Jasper Johnson, Jaxson, Jade, Jagger, Autumn and Charlee Lungwitz. Sister, Lola Mae Spicknall, many nieces and nephews.

The Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Yuma, Colorado at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Timothy Davis officiating.  Interment followed at the Yuma Cemetery in Yuma, Colorado.  Baucke Funeral Home directed the service.