Lavina Theresa Louise Schwisow

Lavina (Meyer) Schwisow went to her eternal reward April 8, 2014.  She was born November 2, 1918 to Henry and Anne (Lucking) Meyer at Fairbury.  Lavina was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church east of Daykin.  She attended school at West Bower, located north of Fairbury, until the tenth grade.

She married Walter Schwisow on January 31, 1943, also at Immanuel Lutheran Church.  Walter was serving in WWII and Lavina worked at the Martin Bomber Plant in Omaha until war’s end.  They began farming in the Daykin and Jansen area and in 1950 purchased the Meyer farm and returned to her childhood home.  Three children were born to this union, Larry, Steven and Randall.  They expanded the farm and added a dairy operation, while remaining on the farm until 1981, when they retired and moved to Fairbury.

Lavina was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Fairbury and volunteered for several organizations.  She enjoyed gardening, cooking, bowling, dancing and Nebraska football.  She had a very strong passion for quilting and was an active member of the Never Idle quilting club for 60 years.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Walter, her parents, brothers; William Meyer, Albert (Bert) Meyer, Alvin Meyer, Carl Meyer (Infant), Henry (Hank) Meyer and sisters; Meta Meyer (Infant), Emily Grummert and Elsie Ebke.

She is survived by her sons, Larry and wife Rebecca of Lincoln, Steven and wife Lorraine of Lincoln, Randall and wife Carol of Fairbury, sister Wilma Gnuse of Omaha, 6 Grandchildren; Adrienne Schwisow of Denver, CO., Whitney Hayes and husband Scott of Chandler, AZ., Kenneth Schwisow and wife Debbie of Las Cruces, NM., Tom Schwisow and wife Courtney of Lincoln, Casey Schwisow of Omaha and Kelsey Schwisow of Atlanta, GA.  She will also be deeply missed by 6 Great-grandchildren; Katie & Natalie Hayes of Chandler, AZ., and Brandon, Samantha, Dillon and Lila Schwisow of Las Cruces, NM.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday April 14, 2014 at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairbury, with Pastor Charles Schmidt officiating. Burial at the Fairbury Cemetery – Fairbury, NE. Viewing will start after 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Memorials are to Grace Lutheran Church Building Fund or Radio Broadcast.  Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury is in charge of arrangements.