Ruth Laverne Lindblom passed away on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at The Journey Home in Bartlesville, OK. She was 99 years old.
She was born on a farm near Falun, KS, on December 8, 1918 and was delivered into this world by her maternal grandmother. Her parents were Fredolf and Ruth (Palmquist) Johnson. She had three brothers, Russel, Ernest and John Wesley Johnson, who all preceded her in death.
Laverne graduated as valedictorian from Falun High School in 1935. After graduation, she worked at the Falun grocery store.
She married Lloyd L. Lindblom on May 8, 1942 and honeymooned in Abilene, KS. A week later, Lloyd left to begin his World War II experience. She was able to join him when he was stationed in Pomona, CA, where she worked in a department store. When Lloyd was sent overseas, Laverne returned to Falun to live with her parents on the farm. Lloyd and Laverne’s first son, Keith, was 18 months old before he met his daddy.
After the war, they lived in a small garage apartment in Salina, KS, where Lloyd worked at Jim Sullivan’s Chevrolet. After their second son, Don, was born, they bought their first home in Salina. Two more children were born in Salina, daughter, Carol and third son, Bob.
In 1959 Lloyd and Laverne and their children moved to Abilene, KS where Lloyd worked at Ronald Rice Motors. Laverne babysat and sold Avon. She then worked full-time as a cook at the new Kennedy Elementary School. She eventually transferred to Abilene High School where she was manager of the cafeteria. Naturally, Laverne was a great cook!
Most summer evenings, Lloyd and Laverne could be found at the ball park watching their sons play baseball. Sometimes even when their own boys were not playing! They loved baseball!
Laverne loved to sew and made many of Carol’s dresses. She also liked to do needlepoint and embroidery. She made quilts for all of her children and baby blankets for each of her grandchildren. Every year she would make a special Christmas ornament for each of her family members. She also enjoyed working crossword puzzles and playing Scrabble. In her retirement years she volunteered at the Abilene Food Pantry and enjoyed going to garage sales on Saturdays.
Laverne and Lloyd were married for 49 years. Lloyd died in June, 1991. Sons, Don and Keith also preceded her in death, Don in 1987 and Keith in 2009.
Laverne moved to Bartlesville, OK in 2015 to Green Country Assisted Living. In Bartlesville, she was able to stay active and involved with her son Bob and his family. She was ready to go to birthday and holiday gatherings, afternoon drives and always to church on Sundays.
She is survived by son Bob (Paula) Lindblom and daughter, Carol (Mark) Beveridge, Grain Valley MO. She had 8 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren and another one on the way!
Laverne’s funeral service will be held at 11am on Saturday, June 9, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Abilene where she was an active member while in Abilene. Burial will follow at the Abilene City Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Laverne had a good, long life but will be greatly missed by her family. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to The Journey Home, Bartlesville, OK or to the Trinity Lutheran Church, Abilene, KS. Memorials may be dropped off or mailed to Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home, 414 NW Third St., Abilene, KS 67410.