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LaVina Collenberg Obituary
LaVina C. Collenberg, native of Humboldt, resident of Arcata. Passed away on January 27, 2009, in Arcata, California.
Born January 11, 1934, passed away unexpectantly on January 27, 2009.
LaVina married the love of her light Tony Collenberg on January 20, 1952, and they were married for 50 years. They started the Collenberg Dairy along with their sons, Randy and Dan. LaVina worked at Wells Fargo Bank in Arcata until she retired in 1977. LaVina and Tony, along with their daughter Toni, went into business in 1976 and bought Toni’s Restaurant. LaVina was the bookkeeper to Toni’s until she retired again in 2003
In November 2004 LaVina was lucky enough to find love again when she met Keith Straughan. LaVina and Keith enjoyed going on cruises, traveling to Reno, going to Toby Keith concerts, playing the trains at Cherea Heights, socializing with their friends and spending time with their family.
LaVina is survived by her partner, Keith (Sunny) Straughan; her dog, Charlie; sons, Dan and Karan Collenberg; daughter, Toni Collenberg and Jim Nelson; sisters, Velma Tirsbeck and Gerald Ewing; sisters-in-law, Linda Nunes, Sabina Blazedel, Bertha Britschgi; grandchildren, Carrie Collenberg and Aldo Gonzalez, Andy Collenberg and Amy Cross, Mike and Meagan Collenberg, David, Zachary and Ben Collenberg, Haley, Katie and Ryan Simas, Molly Simas and Fiancé Nate Combs; great grandchildren, Randilyn Collenberg, Shea Simas, Skylar Collenberg, Addison Collenberg and soon to be two new additions to the Collenberg family. And numerous nieces and nephews.
LaVina is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Tony Collenberg; son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Dannette Collenberg; brother and sister-in-law, Dan and Shirley Nunes; brother, Manuel Nunes; and brother-in-law, Donald Ewing and Bruce Tirsbeck.
At LaVina’s request there will be no service, but a celebration of her life late in the spring. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to St. Bernards High School.
Arrangements are under the care of Paul’s Chapel, Arcata, CA.
Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com, click on obituaries.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for LaVina Collenberg
Dennis and Charlsie Emmons
February 11, 2009
To Lavina's family and loved ones, we met this sweet and loving lady about five years ago and found her to be so charming and contagious, you couldn't get enough of her. We will miss her immensely and please know our thoughts and prayers will be with you thru this sorrowful time.
Bill Iskra
February 10, 2009
Dan , Toni , and family ,
I would like to offer my condolences . I had the plesure of meeting Lavina many years ago .
Having attended St. Bernards High School , I have the pleasant memories of the reflection of her qualities in her children .
Bill Iskra
Bill Quinn
February 10, 2009
Sorry to hear of your loss. My Mom is Patricia Riley, who knew several members of your family. She passed away New Year's Eve in a Seattle area nursing home, or would be contacting you herself. God Bless You.
Carlos Avelar
February 9, 2009
Dan , Toni,& ( extended family)I was very sad to hear of the passing of your mother ( grandmother. She was the "solid rock" of the Cullenberg family. Someone you can never replace. Be strong and have faith; somehow we all make it thru tough times like this, it's the way of life, like or not we have no choice. Your Mother touched many during her days on this earth. My prayers and thouhgts are with all of you always, love Carlos
Gwen Kjer Morris
February 6, 2009
Toni, Danny and family-
So sorry to hear the sad news. I always thought your mom was sooo beautiful and ageless. She was truly a classy lady! I will always remember her beautiful warm smile. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Sylvina (Toledo) David Moore
February 6, 2009
So sorry to hear about LaVina, I've have known her for many yrs. She was so full of life. Will miss seeing her, especially at the Elks Club celebrating so many things she loved to do mostly about traveling. We will miss her so much. Our prayers are with her and her family.
Nicole Lackey
February 5, 2009
Toni & Family,
LaVina was such a special lady, she always would light up every room she walked into. She was one of a kind. My heart goes out to you guys in this difficult time.
Joe and Judi Cardoza
February 5, 2009
Gone but not forgotten - memorys live forever
Erin Noel
February 4, 2009
LaVina made getting old fun!! She knew how to live it up..I will really miss her...
Connie & Todd Young
February 3, 2009
Dear Toni and family, We were very sad to hear of the passing of your mother/grandmother. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Sent with our love.
Connie, Todd and Darcie
Perth Australia
Monica Nunes
February 3, 2009
Dear Toni, Dan and the rest of the crew,
Aunt LaVina really knew how to make people feel welcome and special. I will certainly miss seeing her huge smile and hearing her laugh. I have a few photos of the two of us during Thanksgiving 2007, that I will cherish as it was the last time we spent together.
Keep me informed to your plans so our family can come spend time with the rest of you for the celebration of her wonderful life. I will miss her deeply..
Love you always,
Monica
Cindy Knight
February 3, 2009
Dear Toni and Family,
LaVina was the Queen of smiles. We always felt warmth and sunshine around her and your family. May the sun be warm on your face.
All our love,
Randy and Cindy Knight & Family
Gregg & Denise Boughton
February 3, 2009
Toni and Family,
We are so sorry to hear about your mom. Gregg and I had the pleasure of getting to know her at the Moose and gatherings these past couple of years. She was such a wonderful person. She always had kind words to say and a smile on her face. Our prayers go out to you in this difficult time. She will be missed by all.
Loretta Alexandre
February 3, 2009
Dear Collenberg family,
I was so sadden to read about the passing of LaVina. I've known her since I was young and always thought she was the prettiest girl in a crowd. She continued to be the prettiest and most gracious lady....
With love and sympathy, Loretta Alexandre
Mary Eggel-Pelascini
February 2, 2009
Dan & Karen;
Sorry to hear about your Mom. She was a great lady, just like all the other Arcata Bottom/ St Mary's Moms. I know you will miss her, as I still miss my Mom.
Shirley McKinney
February 2, 2009
Toni, Sunny and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Lavina was a great lady in every way. May happy memories get you through this sorrowful time.
Brett & Leslie Broomall
February 2, 2009
LaVina was such a happy and warm person to everyone. My parent's names are Tony and Lavina and I'll never forget how my grandparents were having dinner at Pete's Bella Vista Inn talking to their friends about my parents "Tony and Lavina" being on vacation and Tony and LaVina Collenberg were at the next table and thought they were talking about them! My grandparents then introduced Tony and LaVina to my parents and our families have been friends ever since. We were so happy to have Toni, Jim, LaVina and Keith at our wedding in June. LaVina, you will never be forgotten and our love goes out to all of the family.
Rhonda Hampton
February 2, 2009
Toni...So sorry to hear of your loss. Your Mom was a wonderful lady.Always a smile on her face. I have alot of happy memories with you and her that I will never forget. Hope to make it to the celebration. Please keep me posted. Thinking of you with a heavy heart. Love ya, Rhonda
Ron Gulbransen
February 2, 2009
Toni and Family,Sadness in my heart to hear about LaVina.She was a wonderful lady,full of love and kindness.My thoughts and prayers are with all of the Collenberg Family.
gary and mardell blickenstaff
February 1, 2009
dear toni,danny,keith, and family, we will miss her so much, she was a great friend, loads of memories of many a good times,we loved her,she was our buddy. our heart are with all of you. gary and mardell blickenstaff
Rose & Boyld Kirby
February 1, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Pat Mitchell
February 1, 2009
Pat Mitchell and Jim Paradise
Gloria Ingersoll Fredericks
January 31, 2009
LaVina and my mother Aurora was at as much as they could be. She was a super lady.
CHERRY Shanda
January 31, 2009
La Vina Will be missed by all who knew her. She was a great lady.
So sorry for your loss.
Cherry Shanda
KEN AND ELENA DAVID
January 31, 2009
TONI AND FAMILY-
WE WERE VERY SORRY TO HEAR OF
THE LOSS OF YOUR MOTHER/GRANDMOTHER. SHE WILL
ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED FOR HER
SMILE AND HER KINDNESS. SHE NOW RESTS IN PEACE AND ABOVE
LOOKING UPON US AS A SHINNING
STAR. GOD BLESS. LOVE KEN AND
ELENA DAVID
Don & Susan Walker
January 31, 2009
We are thinking about you at this time of your loss. She was a very special lady, always a smile on her face. She will be missed by all.
Adair Paul
January 31, 2009
Dear Tony and Family,
Your Mom was a wonderful, gracious, loving, giving, person who gave of herself to her family, community and to everyone. She was that special Jewel. At this time of sorrow, may God's loving grace, peace and love be with you.
Adair
Dick And Kay Tirsbeck
January 31, 2009
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Carl Del Grande
January 31, 2009
Clan Collenberg,
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Bless all of you.
Carl Del Grande
chenette brannon
January 31, 2009
Toni & family; My prayers go with each and everyone of you. We all have such good memories of her to keep in our hearts. Her light will shine forever.
Tim Ayers
January 31, 2009
Toni & Family
I am sorry for your loss, what a great Lady
Mickey Helm Blatt
January 31, 2009
Collenberg Family, So sorry to read of the loss of your Mother & Grandmother. May God comfort all you at this very sad time. May memories of joy and happiness shared sustain and comfort all of you.
Mickey Helm Blatt
Lora and Joel Canzoneri
January 31, 2009
Mrs. Collenberg's passing is truly an end of a era for the history of the Arcata Bottoms. Please let us know when the celebration of her life is scheduled. May happy memories of her comfort her loved ones at this very sad time.
Lynette Stout Hailey
January 31, 2009
Toni & Family,
I'm so sorry for your loss... LaVina was so sweet and I have a lot of good memories of her! You all are in my thoughts and prayers!
Dena England
January 31, 2009
Toni and Family,
I'm very sorry to hear about your Mom/Grandma. She was a very sweet lady. Always so kind.
My prayers are with you.
Debbie Tirsbeck
January 31, 2009
Toni,Danny, Keith and Family, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Your mother was truley a special person and I will miss her. Bobo and I had many good times with LaVine and we will teasure those memories.
Allen & Linda Vollmer
January 31, 2009
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
Connie Duncan
January 31, 2009
The McKinleyville Moose
Sends their condolences
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