Saturday, March 13, 2010

LaVertia E. (Mikesell) Gaetz

LaVertia E. Gaetz, age 94, passed away Saturday, March 13, 2010, at Wheaton-Franciscan All Saints Medical Center. LaVertia was born in Council Bluffs, IA, on February 7, 1916, daughter of the late Roland “Raleigh” and Hilma R. (Nee: Peterson) Mikesell.

On March 2, 1946, at Rock Island, IL, she was united in marriage to Howard E. Gaetz who preceded her in death, August 7, 1957. She was employed with General Motors in LaGrange, IL, for many years as manager of employee benefits in their Electro-Motive Division. LaVertia was a member of First Congregational Church of LaGrange, the Eastern Star, General Motors 25 Year Club and Retirement Club.

She was a loving mother to Pamela (John P.) R. Pelej of Racine; an exceptional Nana to Justin C. (Paula) Pelej of Chicago, IL, and Jennifer N. Pelej (fiancé, Tim Jacoby) of Big Fork, MT; dear sister-in-law to Lucille Mikesell of Cedar Rapids, IA; special aunt to Lillie Mikesell of New York City, NY; other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by her brothers, John and LaVert Mikesell; and her nephew, John David Mikesell.

Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Friday, March 19, 2010, at 6 p.m. with Rev. Rich Wolf of First Congregational Church of LaGrange officiating. Interment will be held at Walnut Hill Cemetery, Council Bluffs, IA. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Friday from 4 p.m. until time of service at 6 p.m. Memorials to the American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen Foundation, or the Wheaton-Franciscan Cancer Center have been suggested.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the entire staff at Lincoln Village Convalescent Center, the nurses at Wheaton-Franciscan All Saints 2B, Dr. Richard Odders, Dr. Robert Gullberg, and the staff at Wheaton-Franciscan Cancer Center for their loving and compassionate care.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888

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