Lavaughn Jean Stolba

Lavaughn Jean Stolba, 97, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away Friday, December 27, 2024, at The Vinton Lutheran Home, Vinton, Iowa. No services will be held and a private burial will take place at Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. God's glorious kingdom received a "lively citizen" affectionately known as "Jeanie". Lavaughn was known for her warmth, generosity, and undeniable loving spirit she brought to the world. Lavaughn was born November 17, 1927, in Mitchellville, Iowa, the daughter of John and Cleda (Osborne) Bailey. She graduated from Mitchellville High School. On May 11, 1946, Lavaughn was united in marriage to Bob Stolba. A loving wife and devoted mother, she was holistic before holistic was cool. Lavaughn practiced myotherapy on family and friends, filtered her water through prisms, and made sure her children had a weekly dose of wheat germ and cod liver oil. She worked several part-time jobs while being a full-time mother. Lavaughn's most significant accomplishment was raising her three children whom she held as her pride and joy. Throughout the years she had an active role in her church. She loved to travel and remembered her trip to Africa fondly. Lavaughn had a green thumb and always knew tricks to growing more tomatoes or green beans and how to arrange a bouquet of gladiolas. Her cupboard was always full of freshly canned produce. The last week of July, the first week of August, was always family vacation at Lake Leelanau, Michigan when she would make her black walnut ice box cookies for the family to snack. She was also famous for her fried chicken and cherry walnut ice cream. Her memory will continue to live on and inspire strength, resilience, and generosity in those whose lives she touched. Those wishing to pay their respects and celebrate her life are welcome, in lieu of flowers, to make a memorial donation to The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids. Survivors include her children, Linda L. (John) Long of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Russell F. (Linda) Stolba of Cedar Rapids, and Ann L. (David) Hill of Garrison, Iowa; grandchildren, Laura Long Neilsen (JR) and her daughter, Hannah of Denver, Colorado, Micah (April) Stolba and their son, Colton of Cedar Rapids, Stephanie Stolba and her daughter, Liberty of Bennett, Colorado, Amanda Stolba and Christopher Stolba, Jessica Hill (Steve Bell) and her daughter, Samantha, all of Cedar Rapids, and Jared Hill of Vinton; and sister, Tena Gaskill (Dan Carlson) of Des Moines, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bob; and siblings, Robert Bailey and Ruth Bailey Porter. Please share a memory Lavaughn at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.