1928
Lavina
2023
Lavina Olson
August 29, 1928 — November 23, 2023
Lavina Olson of Eau Claire, passed away on Thursday, November 23, 2023. Lavina Anna Gruber was born on August 29, 1928, to Frank and Margaret (Weber) Gruber, on the family farm, in the town of Albany, Pepin County, Wisconsin. As a young girl, Lavina liked to tag along with her dad and other family members to a favorite fishing spot for a day of fishing. She liked to pick wildflowers too, and especially loved lady slippers. The cardinal was her favorite songbird and red her favorite color. Lavina met her future husband, Lester H. Olson, when he was hired by her father and uncle to work on the family farm in 1942. They were married June 2, 1948, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, in Mondovi, Wisconsin. They moved to Eau Claire and raised ten children.
Lavina was a great cook and was always looking for a new recipe to try. Her home-made dill pickles were a family favorite. One summer, she canned 100 quart jars of dill pickles! That’s a lot of pickles!! Many a time, a family member would go home with a jar of those prized, blue-ribbon quality gems! They were the BEST! Lavina was a faithful Catholic and was an active charter member in various church activities for many years at St. Olaf Catholic Church in Eau Claire. She was a member of PCCW and belonged to the Ladies Aid groups, St. Martha and St. Agnes. Lavina collected family history and had a great knack for knowing how her family was related to others. She was always happy to share her knowledge with anyone who asked.
Lavina enjoyed her grandchildren and was always willing to take care of them in time of need. In later years, she enjoyed visits and gatherings with the great grandchildren too, as well as a special visit from Hayes Olson, a 5th generation great-great grandson. Her husband, Les, passed away on November 7, 2017, after 69 years of marriage.
Lavina is survived by seven sons and three daughters and their children, (21 grandchildren); Dennis (Vicki) and children, Jodi (Brian) Verbracken and Tara (Kevin) Sorenson; Mark (Cindy) and children, Toni, Andy (Leah), Michael (Glenda), Jay (Ambur); Margene (Tom) Kewan; Tim (Terry) and children, Signey and Lars; Bonnie (Dwight) Veitch and son, Dan (Kayla); Tom (Barb) and daughter, Megan (Sam) Hunt; Jon (Cathy) and children, Ryan, Koleena (Hillary) Harrison, Kyle, Casey, Nick (Emily); Maury and son, Michael; Tony (Cheryl) and children, Cole and Drew; Michelle (Tim) Paulin and children, Chantel, Trent and Mollie
(Olivia). Lavina is also survived by 24 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren; one brother, Raymond; nieces and nephews, other family and friends. Lavina was pre-deceased by her husband; her
parents; a sister, Justina; a brother, Francis; a grandson, Scott Olson; maternal grandparents, John and Anna (Endle) Weber; paternal grandparents, Alexander and Marie (Weisenbeck) Gruber.
Lavina’s family would like to thank Dove West and Mayo Hospice for the care and support they provided to Lavina during her time of need.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at St. Olaf Catholic Church, 3220 Monroe St, Eau Claire with Fr. James Kurzynski officiating. Visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. until time of mass. Entombment will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Stokes, Prock & Mundt Funeral Chapel, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.stokesprockandmundt.com .
Lavina was a great cook and was always looking for a new recipe to try. Her home-made dill pickles were a family favorite. One summer, she canned 100 quart jars of dill pickles! That’s a lot of pickles!! Many a time, a family member would go home with a jar of those prized, blue-ribbon quality gems! They were the BEST! Lavina was a faithful Catholic and was an active charter member in various church activities for many years at St. Olaf Catholic Church in Eau Claire. She was a member of PCCW and belonged to the Ladies Aid groups, St. Martha and St. Agnes. Lavina collected family history and had a great knack for knowing how her family was related to others. She was always happy to share her knowledge with anyone who asked.
Lavina enjoyed her grandchildren and was always willing to take care of them in time of need. In later years, she enjoyed visits and gatherings with the great grandchildren too, as well as a special visit from Hayes Olson, a 5th generation great-great grandson. Her husband, Les, passed away on November 7, 2017, after 69 years of marriage.
Lavina is survived by seven sons and three daughters and their children, (21 grandchildren); Dennis (Vicki) and children, Jodi (Brian) Verbracken and Tara (Kevin) Sorenson; Mark (Cindy) and children, Toni, Andy (Leah), Michael (Glenda), Jay (Ambur); Margene (Tom) Kewan; Tim (Terry) and children, Signey and Lars; Bonnie (Dwight) Veitch and son, Dan (Kayla); Tom (Barb) and daughter, Megan (Sam) Hunt; Jon (Cathy) and children, Ryan, Koleena (Hillary) Harrison, Kyle, Casey, Nick (Emily); Maury and son, Michael; Tony (Cheryl) and children, Cole and Drew; Michelle (Tim) Paulin and children, Chantel, Trent and Mollie
(Olivia). Lavina is also survived by 24 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren; one brother, Raymond; nieces and nephews, other family and friends. Lavina was pre-deceased by her husband; her
parents; a sister, Justina; a brother, Francis; a grandson, Scott Olson; maternal grandparents, John and Anna (Endle) Weber; paternal grandparents, Alexander and Marie (Weisenbeck) Gruber.
Lavina’s family would like to thank Dove West and Mayo Hospice for the care and support they provided to Lavina during her time of need.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at St. Olaf Catholic Church, 3220 Monroe St, Eau Claire with Fr. James Kurzynski officiating. Visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. until time of mass. Entombment will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Stokes, Prock & Mundt Funeral Chapel, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.stokesprockandmundt.com .
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lavina Olson, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Thursday, November 30, 2023
12:30 - 2:30 pm (Central time)
St. Olaf Catholic Church
Service
Thursday, November 30, 2023
Starts at 2:30 pm (Central time)
St. Olaf Catholic Church
Mass
Interment
Thursday, November 30, 2023
Starts at 4:00 pm (Central time)
Calvary Catholic Cemetery
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