Christian Biography of LaVera Meyer

LaVera Emmaline Schmidt Meyer of Nelson, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 8, 2018 at the age of 85 at the Good Samaritan Village in Grand Island, surrounded by her loving family. LaVera was born on January 5, 1933 on a farm north of Rosemont, Nebraska, to Fred O. and Flora (Penning) Schmidt.

She was baptized in infancy and was confirmed on September 1, 1946 at the Oak Creek Presbyterian Church of Rosemont. She attended grade school in Rosemont and graduated from Blue Hill High School in 1950. LaVera's first job was with South Central Public Power District in Nelson, Nebraska in January of 1951. She met her lifetime mate, Yale Meyer, an electrical engineer who also was employed with South Central. They were wed June 28, 1953 at the Oak Creek church in Rosemont. LaVera continued her employment with South Central until they started their family.

She was a talented seamstress, excellent cook, and baked the best chocolate chip chiffon cake for each of her children's birthdays. Her children will be forever grateful for the hours spent compiling photo albums and scrapbooks for each of them. LaVera also worked many hours on a legacy project gathering information and was extremely proud of completing printed genealogy booklets for the "Schmidt" and "Penning" relatives.

LaVera was a community volunteer as a Cub Scout leader, Sunday School teacher, and record keeper for the Red Cross blood mobile. She was a Gold Star Sister and member of the VFW Auxiliary. Throughout the years she won many awards for her baked, canned, and fresh garden goods at the Nuckolls County Fair.

All through her life, family was the center of her world. Yale and LaVera were most proud of their children whom they raised in a loving, respectful, joke-loving, patience-learning and pinochle-playing environment. LaVera loved spending time with visiting grandchildren, whether it be reading a story or playing a favorite game. Up until the time of her passing her grandchildren loved spending time with her.

LaVera was preceded in death by husband Yale, her parents, and brothers Jesse, Ben, and Les Schmidt, and granddaughter Megan Elizabeth Meyer.
Survivors include sons Allen and wife Leanne of Juniata, Nebraska; Duane and wife Chris of Hudson, Iowa; Byron and wife Peggy of Columbus, Nebraska; Calvin and wife Linda of Rolla, Missouri; Keith and wife Brenda of Grand Island, Nebraska; and daughter Eva and husband Mark Hurt of Lincoln, Nebraska; 14 grandchildren; one great-grandson; sister LaVon Barth of Hastings, Nebraska; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and a host of friends.

Services at: Nelson Community United Church of Christ, Nelson, Nebraska

Time of Service: Friday, January 19, 2018 at 2:00 pm

Clergy: Pastor Ivan and Pastor Joyce Dean

Burial: Nelson Cemetery, Nelson, Nebraska

Memorials to: Nelson Community United Church of Christ

Visitation: Thursday the 18th from 4-8 PM at the Klawitter-Price Funeral Home

Funeral Home: Klawitter-Price Funeral Home, 446 South Main St., Nelson, Nebraska 68961 Phone 402-225-3301