Laverna Mehlhaff

Laverna L. Mehlhaff, 99, died July 20, 2021 with her family at her side.

A graveside burial service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, September 16, 2021 at Grace Hill Cemetery, Tripp.

Miss Mehlhaff was born April 12, 1922 on the family farm near Tripp, South Dakota to Henry and Rose (Stoebner) Mehlhaff. Laverna accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at the age of eight. Laverna was baptized at the age of 13 and then became a member of the Parkston Baptist Church. Laverna was led to Sioux Falls College to get her degree in Education. Laverna taught in the Public-School system for seven years, and then God led her to follow him to become Director of Christian Education in Cleveland, Ohio for eleven years. After Laverna's time in Cleveland she was led by God to Cameron, West Africa, to teach in the Teachers Training College and next to the beautiful land of Japan for two years of teaching conversational English. Laverna returned from Japan to become the Director of Women's Work of the North American Baptist Conference, where she served for fourteen years. Laverna retired and stayed at her beautiful home in Forest Park, Illinois. Laverna was very involved in the Forest Park Baptist church as a choir member and Sunday school teacher. She loved to entertain other church attendees, visitors and members of the community. Laverna enjoyed traveling and always loved her visits to South Dakota where she grew up. Laverna passed away at the River Glen assisted living facility on Tuesday July 20, 2021 having obtained the age of 99 years. Laverna was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Rose Mehlhaff, Brother Edward Mehlhaff, Brother Donald Mehlhaff and sister Violet Thiesse.

A Celebration of Life service was July 24, 2021 at Forest Park Baptist Church, Forest Park, IL.