LaVerne M. Levay

LaVerne M. Levay, 84, of Sioux City passed away Monday, May 29, 2006, at Indian Hills Nursing and Rehab Center following a brief illness.

Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Augustana Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Del Olivier officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Nelson-Berger Northside Chapel. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

LaVerne was born Nov. 29, 1921, in Sioux City, the daughter of Nels L. and Myrtle E. (Johnson) Nelson. She graduated from Central High School.

She married Walter E. Levay on March 23, 1945, in Philadelphia, Pa. Following Walter's discharge from the military in 1946, the couple lived in Philadelphia for a brief period, before returning to Sioux City. She was a secretary at Hunt School for many years.

She was a longtime member of Augustana Lutheran Church. She also was a member of Order of the Eastern Star Azure Chapter and the Post Office Auxiliary. She was an avid Cubs fan. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.

Survivors include two sons and their wives, William and Paula Levay of Johnston, Iowa, and Jerry and Susan Levay of Sioux City; five grandchildren, Brett Levay and his wife, Tammy of Dallas, Texas, Ryan Levay of Kansas City, Mo., Jessica and her husband, Jason Lesher of South Sioux City, Allison Levay of Des Moines and Jonathan Levay of Sioux City; three great-grandchildren, Zachary, Zoe and Zeke Lesher; and a special cousin, JoAnn Dickman of Sioux City.

She was preceded in death by a son, Robert Levay; and two sisters, Virginia Gallagher and Dorothy McCoy.

Pallbearers will be Steve Welp, Craig Dickman, Allison Levay, Ryan Levay, Mark Kochen and Brett Levay.

Memorials are suggested to Augustana Lutheran Church.