LEONA “LEE” MARY LaFAVE,
82,of Gagetown, died unexpectedly Saturday, June 8, 2019 in Hills and Dales General Hospital, Cass City. She was born March 6, 1937 at home in Sebewaing to Leo and Katherine (Klimkowski) Himmel. She married William James “Jim” LaFave March 2 ,1957 in Gagetown. He died January 2, 1986.
Lee graduated in 1955 from Owendale High School and was soon after crowned the local Dairy Queen. Lee and Jim enjoyed thirty years of marriage. Together they enjoyed many activities, especially playing golf. Lee had a special talent for golf and won many tournaments throughout the years. Later in life, she pursued a career in real estate. Lee worked as an agent for Osentoski Realty in Caro where the Osentoski family and co-workers soon became an extension of her family. Through her work in real estate, she met Donald Moore. He would accompany her for her remaining years. Together they enjoyed traveling, attending auctions and wandering through seas of potential Christmas trees. They participated in Duck’s Unlimited events and hosted countless family gatherings.
Lee was especially devoted to her children and grandchildren. They were blessed to learn valuable life lessons from her and to be loved generously by her. She had a healthy sense of humor and was quick to smile. Lee’s infectious laugh completely filled a room. She was charming and charismatic to everyone she met. Lee’s strength, just one of her many admirable qualities, will remain an encouragement to those who loved her.
Lee is survived by her children: Bill (Xan) LaFave of Gagetown; Cori Denay of Bay City; grandchildren: Laurel (Jarrett) Begick of Ann Arbor; Erin (fiancé, Ryan Decker) Denay of Kalamazoo; Leigha Drohn of Cass City; siblings: Maryann Darga of Laguna Beach, CA; Barb Finkbeiner of Sumpter, SC; Ronald (Chris) Weippert of Cass City; Carl (Janice) Weippert of Aurora, NC; Jan (Jim) Kuhner of Long Island, NY; Gail Groth of Cass City; many nieces and nephews, including Cheri Rice who remained a close friend throughout the years. She was preceded in death by her sister, Marge Warmbier; brother, Stanley Himmel.
Funeral service held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 12, 2019 in Our Lady Consolata Parish, St. Agatha Catholic Church, Gagetown with Fr. Dale Orlik officiating. Interment will be in St. Agatha Cemetery, Gagetown. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and photos with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, 2019 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City
10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 12, 2019 in church
Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
Debra L. Kranz, 989-872-2195
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Leona Mary "Lee" Lafave (Himmel), please visit our flower store.
82,of Gagetown, died unexpectedly Saturday, June 8, 2019 in Hills and Dales General Hospital, Cass City. She was born March 6, 1937 at home in Sebewaing to Leo and Katherine (Klimkowski) Himmel. She married William James “Jim” LaFave March 2 ,1957 in Gagetown. He died January 2, 1986.
Lee graduated in 1955 from Owendale High School and was soon after crowned the local Dairy Queen. Lee and Jim enjoyed thirty years of marriage. Together they enjoyed many activities, especially playing golf. Lee had a special talent for golf and won many tournaments throughout the years. Later in life, she pursued a career in real estate. Lee worked as an agent for Osentoski Realty in Caro where the Osentoski family and co-workers soon became an extension of her family. Through her work in real estate, she met Donald Moore. He would accompany her for her remaining years. Together they enjoyed traveling, attending auctions and wandering through seas of potential Christmas trees. They participated in Duck’s Unlimited events and hosted countless family gatherings.
Lee was especially devoted to her children and grandchildren. They were blessed to learn valuable life lessons from her and to be loved generously by her. She had a healthy sense of humor and was quick to smile. Lee’s infectious laugh completely filled a room. She was charming and charismatic to everyone she met. Lee’s strength, just one of her many admirable qualities, will remain an encouragement to those who loved her.
Lee is survived by her children: Bill (Xan) LaFave of Gagetown; Cori Denay of Bay City; grandchildren: Laurel (Jarrett) Begick of Ann Arbor; Erin (fiancé, Ryan Decker) Denay of Kalamazoo; Leigha Drohn of Cass City; siblings: Maryann Darga of Laguna Beach, CA; Barb Finkbeiner of Sumpter, SC; Ronald (Chris) Weippert of Cass City; Carl (Janice) Weippert of Aurora, NC; Jan (Jim) Kuhner of Long Island, NY; Gail Groth of Cass City; many nieces and nephews, including Cheri Rice who remained a close friend throughout the years. She was preceded in death by her sister, Marge Warmbier; brother, Stanley Himmel.
Funeral service held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 12, 2019 in Our Lady Consolata Parish, St. Agatha Catholic Church, Gagetown with Fr. Dale Orlik officiating. Interment will be in St. Agatha Cemetery, Gagetown. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and photos with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, 2019 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City
10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 12, 2019 in church
Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
Debra L. Kranz, 989-872-2195
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