Lavena Leota Fletcher Wimer was born March 5, 1922, to Mary Ella Roach and John William Henry Fletcher in Hatfield, MO on their family farm. Lavena was the youngest of six children. Siblings Lena Mae, Vergie Lucille, and Everett Troy welcomed her. Those first years were rough as older siblings Eliza Ellen and Millard Emerson had passed away before Lavena’s birth. Then Lena and Vergie passed away from TB and Mother Mary Ella passed away in 1931 when Lavena was nine. The small family of John, Everett and Lavena Fletcher then moved north of Mount Ayr where John went to work for the Triggs Brothers.
Lavena passed away May 30, 2022, at Clearview Nursing Home at the age of 100.
Lavena attended Eureka Country School until beginning high school at Mount Ayr. Lavena and Howard Vern Wimer were married June 17, 1939, in the church parsonage. To this union, four children were born: Jerry Kieth, Pauline Jeanette, Billie Dean, and Cloris Louise. Before retiring and moving to Mount Ayr in 1987, Lavena enjoyed helping Howard on the farm and was always busy but would never hesitate to welcome visitors.
Lavena’s hobbies were working with her flowers, quilting, baking, and volunteering at the Neighborhood Center and Senior Center. She was known for her suet pudding, hot rolls, homemade noodles, and strawberry dessert. Lavena loved all animals. She missed hearing the cows when she moved across the street to Assisted Living. Lavena enjoyed attending Walnut Valley Neighborhood Club for over 50 years; she was the last of the original members. Her favorite part was the marked napkins.
Lavena accepted Christ in 1987 with Rev. Bolinger of Allendale in her home in Grant City. After moving to Mount Ayr, she was baptized and joined the Mount Ayr United Methodist Church on July 11, 2004. Lavena moved into the Clearview Estates beginning on December 6th, 2013, and then transitioned over to receive care at the Clearview Homes.
Left to cherish Lavena’s memory are her four children Jerry (Karen) Wimer of Mount Ayr, Pauline Woollums (Bill Lantz) of Kellerton, Billie (Patty) Wimer of Grant City, and Cloris (Charlie) Bullman of Allendale, 12 grandchildren Michael (Shelly) Wimer, Brian (Wendy) Wimer, Angela (Douglas) Nelson, Garey Lynn (Rhonda) Woollums, Brenda (John) Lillard, Steven (Deborah) Woollums, Laura (Michael) Gilman, Kevin (Lori) Wimer, Denise (Jeffrey) Kelley, Kurtis (Roxann) Wimer, Vincent Henry, Beth (Tony) Steele, 35 great grandchildren including Matthew Wimer, Tiffany Bolles, Logan Stackhouse, Clay Wimer, Hunter Nelson, Abigail Nelson, Shea Woollums, Wesley Gregg, Travis Woollums, Kelly Woollums, Christopher Woollums, Sara Lillard, Katelyn Lillard, Hannah Lillard, John Lane, Grant Lane, Nathan Woollums, Clark Lane, Lindsay Woollums, Kara Lane, Jacob Gilman, Lucas Gilman, Jacob Wimer, Jeremy Wimer, Justina Wimer, Trevor Kelley, Tyler Kelley, Jessica Kelley, Anthony Wimer, Max Wimer, Soyer Wimer, Shelby Steele, Dallas Steele, Bailey Steele and Braedon Bullman. 17 great-great grandchildren, 1 great-great-great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Howard, Howard’s parents, and son-in-law Perry Woollums.
Memorials are to the Mount Ayr Public Library.
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