LaVera Neufeld died on Dec. 1, 2013, at Frieda House, Bluffton, Ohio. She was born Sept. 26, 1927, in Inman, Kan., the second of five children born to Curt and Sarah Androes Regehr. The family moved to Dalhart, Texas, for several years during the Dust Bowl, but later returned to Inman.
She attended West Eagle and Welcome rural schools, often riding the family horse, Blackie. LaVera and her cousin, Lilly Ann Regehr, were driven to high school by Elmer Neufeld and his brother, Herb.
Both couples later married. Elmer and LaVera had one date while LaVera was still in high school and before Elmer left for Civilian Public Service. LaVera worked in the high school principal’s office. She also helped at home with farm work. She began attending Bethel College, but after her first two quarters of college, returned home for a job at the Inman bank.
Elmer and LaVera were married June 20, 1948. LaVera continued working at the Inman Bank for their first year of marriage. It was during that year that the bank was robbed and she and other workers were forced to go into the vault. After one year of marriage, both returned to Bethel College where LaVera attended one additional year. She then taught for one year at the Greenfield Elementary school, with 10 pupils in grades 1 – 8.
Their first child, Carolyn, was born July 4, 1951. Six weeks later they moved to Washington, D.C., where LaVera was hostess for the voluntary service unit. In 1954, they moved to Chicago. LaVera worked part-time in the Mission Center, performing household and guest-hosting tasks. Cynthia, Tim, and Iris were born in Chicago. In 1959, the family moved to Akron, Pa., where Fran was born. The family spent 3½ years in the Congo serving with Mennonite Central Committee. As in their other homes, LaVera hosted many people, including Sudanese refugees, some of whom became lifelong friends.
The next move was to Bluffton. Here LaVera continued to focus on raising their five children, managing the home, many times alone while Elmer traveled. Her husband was dean and later president of Bluffton College.
LaVera volunteered at the Et Cetera shop, Mennonite Memorial Home, the Bluffton Hospital, and the Lion & Lamb Peace Arts Center. She was highly involved with the Bluffton College community. She was a member of Lima Mennonite Church.
She is survived by her children Carolyn and Jerry Huffman, Pandora, Cynthia and Roger Neufeld Smith, Topeka, Kan., Timothy and Kristin Neufeld, Goshen, Ind, Iris Neufeld and Eric Basinger, Findlay, and Francene and Greg Merrin, Columbus.
Other surviving family members are: grandchildren, Alise and Kevin Napp, Kurt Neufeld, Cara Neufeld Smith, Whitney Merrin, Micah Neufeld Smith, and Eliana Neufeld Basinger; sister Arlene and Lewis Schroeder; sister-in-law Marie Regehr; and by Elmer’s siblings Helen and Vern Jantz, Robert and Rosalie Neufeld, and sister-in-law Lilly Ann Neufeld. She was predeceased by husband Elmer, siblings Virgil Regehr, Bob and Jane Regehr, Henry and Shirley Regehr; and by Elmer’s siblings Adolf and Wanda Neufeld, and Herb Neufeld.
Services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Lima Mennonite Church. Rev. David Elkins will officiate. Burial will be in the Evangelical Mennonite Cemetery, Bluffton.
Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at Chiles-Laman Funeral and Cremation Services, Bluffton. Memorial contributions may be made to Lion & Lamb Peace Arts Center at Bluffton University. Online condolences may be expressed at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.
