LaVona M. Wood

LAVONA M. (KADERA) WOOD Oxford LaVona M. (Kadera) Wood is at peace. She departed this earth to join her husband and other family members in heaven. She forever lives on in the hearts of her six children, 15 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. LaVona was born Jan. 26, 1931, to Elmer J. and Emma M. (Dusil) Kadera. She died on Nov. 2, 2021, under the direction of Iowa City Hospice and the direct care of Highland Ridge Care Center in Williamsburg. LaVona grew up in the Oxford area. She learned the meaning of hard work as she helped with chores and household duties on her parent's farm north of Oxford. She attended Oxford High School. After high school, she worked in Cedar Rapids as a housekeeper and nanny. LaVona loved polka music. It was at a dance in Swisher that she first met the love of her life, Lorin (Bud) Wood. They were married on Feb. 16, 1954, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oxford. They farmed south of Tiffin until 1962 when they purchased a farm between Tiffin and Oxford, which is now part of Kent Park. They purchased another farm south of Oxford and lived there until they moved into Oxford. LaVona's greatest gift to her six children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren is her love of family and hosting family meals. She lived to gather all her family together for a meal. Up until the time she entered assisted living, she was always cooking up meals for her kids and grandkids to enjoy. And even after she resided in assisted living, if her kids were coming to visit, she wanted to have a meal ready. LaVona loved to cook. Her love of cooking was a big part of her working career. She started out as a cook in the school system at the Oxford location. She later became the head cook for Clear Creek School District and moved to the new high school in 1969. LaVona also cooked at University of Iowa Children's Hospital and later at Chatham Oaks in the Iowa City. As a farm wife, LaVona raised chickens, both for eggs and to butcher. While the kids were growing up they were enlisted to help with cleaning chickens to deliver to customers. She taught them a work ethic in the process. LaVona passed on her heritage and tradition of kolaches. A huge garden meant there was a lot of canning and freezing to do all summer and fall. Besides garden vegetables, LaVona canned chicken and beef. Jams and jellies were always available at meals. LaVona was not one to sit still. After retirement from her cooking job, she applied for a bus driver position with Clear Creek School District. She drove a small bus to transport children with special needs. She retired from this job at age 80. LaVona and Bud were blessed with six children: Patty (Mike) Wood Bartle, and their three children, Emma (Tyler) Tufte, and their daughter Adriana; Benjamin (deceased), (Brandy (Marshall) Erickson) and their daughter Bella, and two other children Mace and Brystol Erickson, and Nicholas (Jessica Knoll) and their children, Marley Knoll and Ryker Bartle; Sandy (Pat Hoekstra) Dains, Sam (Karly) and Ashley and her children, Joey Dains, Moniyah Wright and Avion Dains; Barbara (Warren) Bigelow and their children, Mandy (Anthony) Browne and their children, Anthony Jr. and Maya; Clinton (Christine) and their daughters, Elise and Eve; Krissy (Jason) Gilbreth; Debbie (Harold) Studebaker and their children, Tasha (Clint) Feuerbach and their children, Dylan and Luke; Nathan (Jill) Studebaker and their daughter, Matilda; Bob (Ann) and their children, Ryan (Laura) and their children, Maren and Emmett; Katie (Dylan) Wade and their daughters, Hayden and Halle; Kelly (Chris) Robertson and their children, Micah, Noah and Vada; and son, Bill (Jennifer) and their children, Mitchell (Laura) and their children, Evelyn and Camden; Casey (Autumn) and daughter, Allie. LaVona was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Dwight Lorin; her parents, Elmer J. and Emma Kadera; her brother, Ronald (Velma) Kadera; sister-in-law, Norma (Ivan)Ball; brother-in-law, Don (Tootie) Wood; son-in-law, Daryl Dains; and grandson, Benjamin Joseph Bartle. Visitation will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oxford. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be held at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Oxford. Honorary pallbearers are grandsons: Ryan Wood, Mitch Wood, Casey Wood, Clint Bigelow, Sam Dains, Nicholas Bartle and Benjamin Bartle; and granddaughters: Mandy Browne, Krissy Gilbreth, Katie Wade, Kelly Robertson, Ashley Dains, Tasha Feuerbach, Emma Tufte and Allie Wood. The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation and gratitude to the staff at Highland Ridge and Iowa City Hospice for the care and compassion they have shown to LaVona and family during this time. In lieu of flowers, family request memorials be sent to Oxford Fire Department or Iowa City Hospice and online condolences may be shared at www.lensingfuneral.com.