Lavanna Jean Frey

Lavanna Jean Frey, daughter of C. "Albert" and Emma F. (Goeken) Knipp, was born February 22, 1929, at her parents' residence in Keystone, IA. Lavanna was dedicated to the Lord by her parents according to their Lutheran faith, expressed through the Sacrament of Baptism on March 7, 1929, by Rev. A.W. Brauer. Her sponsors were Mrs. Charles Knipp and Mrs. William Thede. We believe she went to country school and then was educated at Keystone Lutheran School probably until 7th and 8th grade. When 13, she was confirmed as a proclamation of faith according to Lutheran tradition on March 29, 1942, by Rev. A.W. Brauer at St. John's Lutheran Church. Lavanna was a graduate of the Keystone High School in 1946 and then graduated with a degree in cosmetology from Paris Beauty Academy in Cedar Rapids in 1947. At Paris Beauty Academy, Lavanna met Martin Jasper Frey, a classmate. After dating, they were united in marriage on February 28, 1947, by the Rev. A. W. Brauer at Trinity Lutheran Church of Cedar Rapids, IA. They became the parents of six children: Roxanne, Monica (Moni), Jolayn (JoDi), Jacqueline (Jaci), Michelle (Mici), and Martin II (Marty II). In the 50's Martin and Lavanna owned and operated Frey's Beauty Salon and farmed in Keystone, IA. In 1960's when Lavanna wasn't busy with her children, she also worked at Humphrey Dairy. In the 70's Lavanna owned & operated several businesses including Lilac Styles & Bouquets, Lilac Styles, Melting Point Christian Book Store, and Frey's Nu Look. Since the early 80's Martin and Lavanna owned and operated Frey's Amusements, New Orleans, LA. Their carnival played at fairs and celebrations in IA, MN, NE & LA. Martin and Lavanna were members of St. John's Lutheran Church, Keystone, IA, in their early years. Then, after moving to West Union, they became members of Zion Lutheran Church of West Union. They invested significantly in supporting the hopeful birthing of an Assemblies of God Church in West Union and later the founding of Victory Foursquare Church in West Union. As of recent, Lavanna became a member of Harvest Baptist Church in Fort Dodge, IA. Although we remember many Pastors & Evangelists in their home through the years, it is the Pastor of Harvest Baptist Church, Rev. Marvin Smith, who regularly visited Lavanna in Mici's home and then at Crestview Nursing Home. Her children all remember unique & wonderful times of confession and rededication of faith in the Lord Jesus (e.g., Lutheran sacraments, teaching Sunday School, times of devotions, special moments of prayer, long-term support of pioneer work, etc.). We all agree that Lavanna held to a living faith in the Lord Jesus. We know that she prayed regularly for her 5 children, 13 grandchildren & 31 great-grandchildren. Of course, Lavanna, as an only child, didn't have her own brothers and sisters; so, we are so very thankful to the Frey family and their love and care of Lavanna through all of the years. There are so many cherished memories of love and laughter as the families visited and celebrated life with Lavanna and Martin through the years. On March 20, 2019, Lavanna died at Crestview Nursing Home, Webster City, IA, at the age of 90 years and 26 days. She was preceded in death by her infant daughter Roxanne Kay, her parents C. Albert & Emma Knipp, and her husband Martin. Survivors include four daughters, a son, and their spouses: Moni & Ernie Guyer, Lindale, TX; JoDi & Larry Christofferson, Rapid City, SD; Jaci & Tom Mann, Kiowa, CO; Mici & John Holstein, Fort Dodge, IA; and Marty & Kathy Frey, Olympia, WA. Grandchildren are: Dawn & Kevin (Trigueiro) Guyer; Todd & Laura McCollough, Laura Lynn & Andy (Boettger), Tim & Christy McCollough; Thea & Doug (Wood), Mandy & Ronnie (Brammer), Misty Mann, and Tessa Mann; Evie & Caleb (Hedeen), Amy & Matt (Pottorff), and Mary & Robert (Martin) Holstein; and Sarah & Kyle (Ulrey) and Joshua Martin III Frey. Great-grandchildren are: Ian, Kaden, Austin, Jasmin, and Joelyn Trigueiro; Claire, Holly, Bethany, and Julianne McCollough; Cassandra, Autumn, Mariyana, Roska, Nol, Liberty, Tor, Dietrich, Bronwyn, and Inger Boettger; Audrey, Norah, Justus, and Sawyer McCollough; Amaya and Katelyn Wood; Lauralai and Phinehas Brammer; Matthew, Josiah, Elijah Pottorff; Carlos Martin; and Bennett and Ashton Ulrey. A memorial service will be at a later date in West Union. Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home is serving the family.