LAVONA LEORA EIKLEBERRY

1922 - 2011

LaVona Leora (Swihart) Eikleberry slipped quietly from this earthly home on Saturday, May 28, 2011 in Anacortes, Washington.

She was born on February 20, 1922 in Adel, Iowa, the third of five children born to William M. and Mabel C. Swihart.

She and her family moved to Sedro-Woolley in 1938. LaVona married Elwood Eikleberry in June of 1945 and they made their home in Sedro-Woolley. In the year 2000, she moved in with her daughter in Anacortes.

LaVona worked at the Keyport defense plant during WWII. She also worked as a nurse at the Northern State Hospital and later on at the Memorial Hospital in Sedro-Woolley.

She was a member of the Soroptomists, the Garden Club, and the Rebecca's. She held several offices in those organizations. As part of her Garden Club years, she planted several areas with shrubs, etc. in the City of Sedro-Woolley. LaVona was also a volunteer and a Director of the Helping Hands Food Bank in Sedro-Woolley for a time.

One of her great loves was gardening, flowers, shrubs, and trees. She enjoyed all the seasons from the first spring flower to the last of the falling leaves. She loved feeding the squirrels, the deer, and the birds. In fact she enjoyed all of God's creation. God blessed her with a loving family and many friends throughout her life.

She is survived by her daughter, Vicki E. Grenier and her longtime companion Bill Wooding of Anacortes, grandson, Vern Louis Grenier III and his wife Polly and great-granddaughters, Kylie and Kendall; two sons, Lee A. Swihart and his wife Kathy of Sedro-Woolley and grandchildren, Leann and Todd and Martin Day and his wife Linda of Cashmere and granddaughter, Darcy; a sister, Shirley A. Richter of Sedro-Woolley plus too numerous to mention nieces, nephews, and extended family.

LaVona was preceded in death by her husband, Elwood, two brothers, William (Bill) and Lynn Swihart and a sister, Doris Robinson all of Sedro-Woolley and a grandson, Terry Day of Cashmere.

The family of LaVona would like to express our gratitude to Caring Heart's of Anacortes for their living care of her and to Hospice for their time and support.

Funeral Services will be Friday, June 3, 2011 at 11:00AM at the Inspire Church of Skagit Valley at Township & State in Sedro-Woolley with Pastor Brent Kimball officiating. Private interment to follow at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery.

Arrangements and Services under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.

Please share your memories of LaVona and sign the online guestbook at www.lemleychapel.com