Lavina Beth Risseeuw, age 79, passed away on Friday, May 16, 2014 at Pine View Good Samaritan Center in Valentine, NE. She departed peacefully with the love of her life, Don, by her side. Her life will be celebrated with funeral services on what would have been her 80th birthday. Funeral services have been set for Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at United Methodist Church in Valentine with interment to follow at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Lavina was born May 20, 1934 in Swett, SD, to Antoinette (Vander Meer) and George Brill. She was delivered by her aunts without the aid of a physician. She grew up in a home with newspaper plaster wallpaper. She often reminisced about how proud she was of her homestead upbringing. She grew up in the Lakeview area. Lavina graduated from high school on the "best birthday" she ever had. On this same day, she not only graduated but she also "got her diamond" when she became engaged to Don Risseeuw. Don and Lavina were wed on August 4, 1952 in Winner, SD. They resided in the Lakeview area for the first few years of their marriage and then moved to Valentine, NE where they raised their five children.
She was a vastly talented woman. She worked as a telephone operator, keeping tabs on who called who and who her children were chatting with. She owned and operated Montgomery Ward Catalog Store for many years and also owned the Mode O'Day for quite some time. Lavina also worked in the deli at IGA and decorated several cakes. She was especially fond of decorating birthday cakes for her grandchildren.
She and Don loved to square dance and enjoyed this for several years. Lavina loved to capture memories and is remembered fondly by always carrying a camera and snapping photos. She also loved to quilt and crochet. Each grandchild has or will receive an afghan along with a photo album to celebrate their graduation from high school.
Lavina was a member of the United Methodist Church. She drew much strength from her family and her faith, none more important than when diabetes claimed each of her legs in the later years of her life. Although she lost both of her legs, Lavina was still vibrant and full of life and was often commented about on her optimistic personality. She was an avid puzzler; she was so proud of putting in the last piece. She even had several of her most prized puzzles framed.
Lavina shared no greater joy than when she was celebrating the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She never missed sending a card to celebrate the numerous life achievements of her family members, which were written with a Sharpie in her later years. She took much pride in maintaining a birthday calendar devoted to those who were dear to her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Antoinette Brill, and her brother, Vernon Brill. Lavina is survived by her children: LaDonna (Bob) Nelson of Valentine, Gwen (Dave) Canet of Chadron, Wes (Allison) Risseeuw of Estelline, SD, Wayne (Jean) Risseeuw of Valentine, and Joni (Scott) Roberts of Chadron; 19 grandchildren: Jess (Megan) Nelson, Trevor Nelson, Chad Nelson, Troy Nelson, Marcus Nelson, Sara Clyde, Steven Canet, Sam Canet, Chelsey (Eric) Elenkiwich, Ryan (Staci) Risseeuw, Austin Risseeuw, Allison Risseeuw, Douglas Risseeuw, Daniel (Ashley) Risseeuw, Kassi (Phillip) Mues, Jordan Fletcher (Colby), Macy Roberts, Skylar Roberts and Brooks Roberts. She is also survived by 8 great-grandchildren: Eliana, Brylee, Carter, Anthony, Miles, Olive, Collins, and Brooke.
Her advice to her family and friends was to always be considerate of others, be loving, gentle, kind, and understanding, attend church and love your family. She was an excellent example for others to follow, a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She is loved tremendously and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 20 at 11:00 AM at the United Methodist Church in Valentine. Burial followed at the Mount Hope Cemetery in Valentine.
Memorials may be made to the Cherry County Hospital Foundation for Dialysis. Sandoz Chapel of the Pines is in charge of the arrangements. Special thanks to the Dialysis Unit, Oakwood and Pine View Staff, Dr. Senseney, Dr. Myers, Dr. Asher and all those who assisted in caring for her.