Ivan F. LaFevre

Ivan F. LeFevre, 100, died Tuesday, August 12, 2008, at the Blue Valley Nursing Home in Blue Rapids, Kan. A graveside service was held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 16, 2008, at the Washington City Cemetery. Pastor Randy Jellison-Knock officiated. Musicians were Dr. Tom Perry and Kenneth McCune. They sang "In the Garden". Ivan was born November 22, 1907, on a farm ten miles northwest of Norton, Kan., the son of Louis E. and Beulah P. (Fackler) LaFevre. At the age of four, Ivan traveled by covered wagon with his parents and one older sister to eastern Colorado. They settled between Flager and Sebert, CO. There they lived seven years in a sod house with dirt floors. They then moved to a farm about 50 miles northwest of Springfield, MO, between Collins and Weaubleau, MO. After four years, they moved back to Norton, KS, where he attended school in a one room school house and then later at Norton County High School. After school Ivan farmed a few years and worked various jobs. He then served in the U.S. Navy for 2 1/2 years in the South Pacific during WWII. Ivan worked for Beatrice Foods Co. for 35 years as a Field Superintendent and also as a Cream Procurement Manager at Lincoln, NE. He was to retire in 1972 but was asked to continue longer so he stayed until November 1973. After retiring he worked part time at funeral homes and self service gas stations in Washington, KS. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Elisabeth LaFevre on Dec. 30, 1999; and three brothers, Louis, Buford and Verlo. Survivors include two sons, David of Topeka, KS, and James of Boulder, CO; and one step-son, William Redmond of Littleton, CO. A memorial fund has been established and will be designated at a later date. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ivan F. LaFevre, please visit our flower store.