LaVern Kraft, age 86 of Sac City, IA, passed away on Monday, September 21, 2020, at Park View Rehabilitation Center in Sac City, IA. Milet LaVern Kraft was born on October 12, 1933, to parents Kermit and Zora (Isom) Rhodman in McGregor, MN. She grew up and attended grade school in McGregor until fourth grade. Then later her family moved to Waterbury, NE, where she graduated from high school.
On January 21, 1953, LaVern was united in marriage to Lloyd Henry Kraft at the Methodist Church in South Sioux City, NE. This union was blessed with three children: Roger, Lynn Jean and Dalena. LaVern also helped raise her youngest sister, Marilyn who was just four years of age at the time their mother passed away. She had a broad career path starting in restaurants at the Kraft Cafe, Montgomery Ward, Park View Care Center, and lastly at Williams Insurance as a secretary.
In her free time, you could find her reading or crocheting and making many gifts for family members and friends. LaVern was well known for making ‘scrubbies’ for people for years. She also enjoyed playing cards, dominos, taking trips to casinos and playing the game Hand & Foot…anyone who ever played that with her knew she would stop at nothing to win! LaVern was a member of the Lytton Legion Auxilliary and After Five club, as well as several others. She was a Bluebird leader for many years and also managed Lytton Senior Housing. She babysat for several families throughout her lifetime and she sold Sarah Coventry jewelry. LaVern and Lloyd always enjoyed dancing together at places like Lakewood Ballroom and Cobblestone to name a few. More than anything and above all, LaVern cherished her family. Time spent with her family and getting to see her grandchildren grow up brought her such great joy and happiness. She will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved her.
Those left to cherish her memory include her children: Lynn Jean (Bob) Freeman of Sergeant Bluff, IA, Dalena (Mike) Koster of Fonda, IA, Roger (Donna) Kraft of Allen, NE, and special sister Marilyn (Larry) Mahler of Sac City, IA; grandchildren: Jason (Candace) Stacy of New Braunfels, TX, Jason (Tracy) Freeman of Crosby, ND, Tom (Vanessa) Freeman of Plainfield, IL, Crista (Jeremy) Zinnel of Pomeroy, IA, Kelli (Brian) Smothers of Kieler, WI, Lathan Kraft of Kansas City, KS, Landon Kraft (fiancée Leah) of Omaha, NE, Kari Mahler (Collin) of Sac City, IA, Travis (April) Mahler of Ankeny, IA; great-grandchildren: Skyler, Logan, Bianca, Brianna, Exton, Maddie, Luke, Quinn, Brock, Olivia, Kyler, Kallie, Dahlia, Annabelle; sisters-in-law Pat Rhodman of Moberly, MO, Betty Rhodman of Sioux City, IA ; many nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.
LaVern was preceded in death by her husband Lloyd Kraft; brothers: Roy, Elvin, Walter and Norman Rhodman; sisters: Marie Von Minden and Lucille Kraft.