Lavada Fichtner
February 17, 1929 — January 4, 2016
LaVada J. Fichtner, 86, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died January 4, 2016 in Gothenburg, NE.
She was born February 17, 1929 in Porum, OK, daughter of B.L. and Vera (Matthews) Lucas.
LaVada grew up in Porum, OK. She lived in Bakersfield, CA, and Curtis, NE. She also lived west of Maywood, McCook and Gothenburg. LaVada graduated from high school and attended Mary Lanning School of Nursing. She was baptized in April 1941 at Muskogee Central Baptist Church and confirmed August 5, 1951 at St. John's Lutheran Church White, NE. LaVada married Lesley Leon Fichtner on March 31, 1950 at the St. John's Lutheran Church in White, NE. They had four children - Lesley Joe, Larry, Bruce and Beth. She was a faithful member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Curtis, NE for many years.
LaVada was a member of the LWML and the Merry Jane's Extension Club. She enjoyed spending time with her grandkids and great grandkids. She followed the kid's sporting events and enjoyed watching sports on TV. LaVada loved gardening, flowers and the Huskers on TV and attending games. She served Hayes County as an Avon Consultant for 35 years.
Surviving are son, Pastor Lesley Joe (Ann) Fichtner of Ft. Wayne, IN: daughter, Beth (Mike) Messersmith of Gothenburg, NE; sisters, Costella "Lou" Dunkin, Virginia "Ginny" Kitchen, Leah (Jim) Winton, Joan Fox, Eileen (Doug) Beaver, Reva Lucas; sisters-in-law Esther Bahrand Vivian Fichtner; nine grandchildren: Paige (Paul) Mills, Michael Messersmith, Breanne Messersmith, Patrick Messersmith, Kim (Andy) Jipp, Tracey (Dan) Tresley, Brandon and Chris Fitchtner and Katie (Jarred) Chappell; 12 great grandchildren: Adriana, Kysen, Keiley, Kole, Annalynne, Matthew, Faith, Joy, Brayden, Greyson, Jakoby, and Karter and many nieces and nephews and friends.
LaVada was preceded in death by husband, Lesley Leon Fichtner, parents, Vera Lucas, Madeline Lucas, B.L. Lucas; sons, Larry and Bruce Fichtner; brother-in-laws - Allen Fichtner, Marlin Fox, Calvin Bahr, Ben Dunkin, Butch Kitchen; sister-in-law Ruth Fichtner; brothers John and Junior Lucas, great grandson Eli Jipp.
Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Thursday, January 7, 2016, 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm. with the family present from 4-6.
Services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, January 8, 2016 at 10:00 am.
Interment will follow in the Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, Nebraska.
Memorials may be given to the Trinity Lutheran Church, 2002 27th Street, Gothenburg, NE 69138 or Our Hope Lutheran Church, 1826 Trinity Drive, PO Box 36, Huntertown, IN 46748, or Gothenburg Senior Center, 410 20th St, Gothenburg, NE 69138.