Heaven gained an angel on August 18th, 2013 late in the evening with the addition of Laverne Iris Lober Bell. As this beautiful soul slipped out of this world, she was surrounded by her family at home – just as she wanted.
Laverne was born on November 21,1926 in Cissna Park. She married Donald E. Bell on November 2, 1946 in Cissna Park. She joins her husband, Don, in heaven as well as her parents, Alpha and Anna Heiberger Lober and one brother, Merwin Lober.
She is survived by a multitude of family and friends, her siblings: June Kraft, Darrell (Glenna) Lober and Gene (Mary Jo) Lober; her four children: Sheryl Shields, Barry (Gloria) Bell, Karen (Dan) Rodgers and Jacqueline (Dan) Bauer; thirteen grandchildren: Jami (Jim) Rogers, Angie (JD) Jennings, C.J. Shields, Jennifer (Ben Tipsord) Boyle, Annie (Scott) Duewer, Adam (Jill) Shields, Jason (Barb) Shields, Camden Rodgers, James (Stephanie) Bell, Chris Rodgers, Elizabeth (Nate) Smith, Jesse Bauer and Taylor Bauer; twenty-five great grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Laverne worked at the post office in Cissna Park and retired as post master in 1989 after many years of service. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and served as a president for a term and as an officer for many years. She knew everyone in Cissna and never knew a stranger. Her bubbly personality and loving nature made her a favorite wherever she went. She was known as “Grandma Bell” to many children and adults of Cissna Park. She was an avid eater and loved eating out with her sister, June. Laverne would order about 5 things off of the menu and then spend the next 2 hours eating, laughing, and conversing with whomever she was eating with and the surrounding tables of strangers. She was a magnet for fun. Laverne was also a passionate gardener and loved any and all types of perennials. She could plant a stick and a tree would sprout. She had the ability to put together wonderful pots and hanging baskets. Her porch was always an array of colors from her flowers. She did, however, have the unfortunate inability to remember how big her perennials would get. This is how she ended up with a 2 story tree and 3 full grown blue spruce trees in her garden beds. Her yard was lovingly called “The Forest.”
Laverne will always be remembered as someone who had a most loving heart. She believed in second chances and she believed in God. She loved her family and friends with everything she had, she will be missed beyond words can express.
Visitation arrangements are being held at the Knapp Funeral Home in Cissna Park on Thursday, August 22 from 4pm to 8pm. The funeral arrangements are at Christian Bible Church in rural Cissna Park on Friday, August 23 at 11am, with visitation one hour prior to service. Rev. Silas Montgomery will officiate. Graveside services are at Cissna Park Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Christian Bible Church in Cissna Park or Cissna Park Athletic Boosters.
Please sign the online guestbook at knappfuneral homes.com.