Services were held for Lavonna O. Cornelius on Tuesday, February 2, 1999, at the First United Methodist Church in Dunlap. She died January 30 at the Dunlap Care Center, where she had been a resident since August 29, 1992.
Rev. Sue Ellen Sherman officiated the 1:30 P.M. final rites. Vocalist Max Poe was accompanied by musician Fran Klein. The selections were "On Eagles Wings" and "How Great Thou Art".
Bearers were Dale Black, Ed Black, Jerry Espeseth, David Hamblen, Brian Kessel and Duane Renz.
Interment was in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Dunlap.
Fouts Funeral Home, Woodbine and Dunlap, was in charge of arrangements.
Lavonna Cornelius was born August 25, 1904, to Harry and Genette (Quick) Black in Gallands Grove, Shelby County, Iowa. She was the oldest daughter in a family of 11 children, four boys and seven girls. She attended school until the fourth grade, when she had to stay home and help with the housework and the raising of her siblings.
She was united in marriage to Charles Thompson on August 30, 1921, at Jefferson, Iowa. To this union four daughters and one son were born. Charles died November 22, 1937. Lavonna cared for her children by taking in washing and ironing, baking rolls and breads, which were taken door to door to be sold. She also worked at Shea's dry goods store.
On May 11, 1944, Lavonna was united in marriage to Claude W. Cornelius in Council Bluffs. To this union two daughters were born.
Lavonna was known as a wonderful cook. On October 18, 1952, she was honored as the "Best Cook of the Week" on Betty Tolsons' morning homemakers show on KMTV in Omaha. She was also on the "Connie's Cupboard" radio show on WOW.
Claude and Lavonna owned and operated the Sugar Bowl Cafe from February 1957 ~ 1965. Claude died in 1967. Lavonna worked in the cafe for 20 years. She worked as a cook at the Senior Citizens meal site for six years, retiring at the age of 79.
Lavonna will be remembered as always raising a huge garden and had many beautiful flowers for others to enjoy. She made tea towels, pillow cases and quilts to pass on to her children and grandchildren.
Besides her two husbands, she was preceded in death by a son, Lawrence "Jiggs" Thompson; a daughter, Lois Smith; a stepson, Clifford Cornelius; four brothers and six sisters.
Survivors include her children, Lucille Crilly, Florence Belle and Merwin Hall all of Dunlap, Patsy and Larry Hedger of Kankakee, IL, Sharon Espeseth of Council Bluffs, Bernice Wolf of Woodbine, stepchildren, Dareld and Helen Cornelius of Seattle, WA, Elaine Baxter and Lila Myrick of Rogue River, OR, 28 grandchildren and many great grandchildren and great~great~grandchildren.
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Services were held for Lavonna O. Cornelius on Tuesday, February 2, 1999, at the First United Methodist Church in Dunlap. She died January 30 at the Dunlap Care Center, where she had been a resident since August 29, 1992.
Rev. Sue Ellen Sherman officiated the 1:30 P.M. final rites. Vocalist Max Poe was accompanied by musician Fran Klein. The selections were "On Eagles Wings" and "How Great Thou Art".
Bearers were Dale Black, Ed Black, Jerry Espeseth, David Hamblen, Brian Kessel and Duane Renz.
Interment was in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Dunlap.
Fouts Funeral Home, Woodbine and Dunlap, was in charge of arrangements.
Lavonna Cornelius was born August 25, 1904, to Harry and Genette (Quick) Black in Gallands Grove, Shelby County, Iowa. She was the oldest daughter in a family of 11 children, four boys and seven girls. She attended school until the fourth grade, when she had to stay home and help with the housework and the raising of her siblings.
She was united in marriage to Charles Thompson on August 30, 1921, at Jefferson, Iowa. To this union four daughters and one son were born. Charles died November 22, 1937. Lavonna cared for her children by taking in washing and ironing, baking rolls and breads, which were taken door to door to be sold. She also worked at Shea's dry goods store.
On May 11, 1944, Lavonna was united in marriage to Claude W. Cornelius in Council Bluffs. To this union two daughters were born.
Lavonna was known as a wonderful cook. On October 18, 1952, she was honored as the "Best Cook of the Week" on Betty Tolsons' morning homemakers show on KMTV in Omaha. She was also on the "Connie's Cupboard" radio show on WOW.
Claude and Lavonna owned and operated the Sugar Bowl Cafe from February 1957 ~ 1965. Claude died in 1967. Lavonna worked in the cafe for 20 years. She worked as a cook at the Senior Citizens meal site for six years, retiring at the age of 79.
Lavonna will be remembered as always raising a huge garden and had many beautiful flowers for others to enjoy. She made tea towels, pillow cases and quilts to pass on to her children and grandchildren.
Besides her two husbands, she was preceded in death by a son, Lawrence "Jiggs" Thompson; a daughter, Lois Smith; a stepson, Clifford Cornelius; four brothers and six sisters.
Survivors include her children, Lucille Crilly, Florence Belle and Merwin Hall all of Dunlap, Patsy and Larry Hedger of Kankakee, IL, Sharon Espeseth of Council Bluffs, Bernice Wolf of Woodbine, stepchildren, Dareld and Helen Cornelius of Seattle, WA, Elaine Baxter and Lila Myrick of Rogue River, OR, 28 grandchildren and many great grandchildren and great~great~grandchildren.
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Family Members
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Claude Dale Black
1901–1972
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Bert Eugene Black
1902–1980
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Lida Myrtle Black Schlensig
1905–1990
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Beatrice Ruth Black Rosenow
1906–1992
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Edith Deloris Black Rosenow
1908–1987
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Violet Elizabeth Black Hendershot
1911–1992
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Genevieve Pauline Black Grant
1913–1995
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Arleta Bell Black
1915–1921
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Fred Lyle Black
1917–1987
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Kenneth Paul Black
1921–1987
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