Stutzman, LaVerda Estelle

LaVerda Estelle Stutzman was born Sept. 29, 1924 in Kearney, Nebraska, the daughter of Herb and Alma (Frahm) Schnase. On Sept. 27, 1944 she was united in marriage to Gerald Stutzman in Smith Center, Kansas. They moved to rural Wellman in 1956 where she was a homemaker. LaVerda was a charter member of the Salem Mennonite Church. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and gardening.

LaVerda died Friday, Jan. 13, 2012 at her son's home in rural Keota, at the age of 87.

LaVerda is survived by six children, Ronald Stutzman (Glenna) of Iowa City, Cynthia Yoder (Joel) of Thornton, Colo., Robert L. Stutzman (Betty) of Keota, James Stutzman (Becky) of Milford, Neb., Gene Stutzman (Alice) of Bear Lake, Mich., and Annette Swartzendruber (Scott) of Shedd, Ore.; 32 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; a brother, Don Schnase of Cairo, Neb.; and three sisters, Doris Krolikowski of Wood River, Neb., Wanda Monson of Wood River, Neb., and Maxine Krolikowski of Kearney, Neb. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; an infant daughter, Yvonne; two grandsons; a great-grandson; and two brothers.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012 at Salem Mennonite Church in rural Keota. Burial will be in the Salem Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday at Salem Mennonite Church where the family will greet friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Powell Funeral Home in Wellman is in charge of the arrangements.

Messages may be sent to the family at

Published Jan. 15, 2012 in The Gazette