The Last Stage
Elmer worked for Hoover Ball and Bearing Co. (it became Hoover NSK somewhere along the way) for over 30 years. After Elmer retired, he wanted more space for gardening, his passion. LaVerna didn't really want to move from Harbrooke, but wanting to please Elmer, she acquiesced and they began looking for a place in the country. Harbrooke had already sold and they didn't have much time to find a place. They had looked at this home on Scio Church once before and rejected it. In desperate need of a home, they decided to buy it and moved there in 1984. Elmer loved it immediately, but LaVerna had lived at Harbrooke for 34 years and raised her family there. She didn't like the change at first.Deer would visit them in the early morning and evening hours and there was always a pesky groundhog just waiting for Elmer to exterminate him. Elmer's garden became LaVerna's garden, too, as she helped him plant, weed, water, harvest, mow the lawn, as well as can and freeze all the bounty that was produced. They also donated vegetables to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor to be sold on fall Sunday mornings between services. It took her a long time, but LaVerna finally came to enjoy living in the country. They still came into town for church, shopping, and visiting relatives and friends.
I drive by the place every so often. It isn't as well kept as when mom and dad owned it.
11740 Scio Church Road
This photo was taken in 1989 by a photographer in an airplane. He came to the door a few days later with the photograph enlarged and nicely framed, bearing a plaque simply stating "Our Home-1989". Elmer really liked the photograph because of all the things in it: Both he and LaVerna are working in the garden; Elmer's tractor and trailor are out by the garden and the truck is just outside the barn; you can also see the pond Elmer had a contractor dig for him. The photo is now hanging in Jack's living room in Hawks, Michigan.
LaVerna
LaVerna was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor for over 53 years, transferring to Our Savior Lutheran Church of Chelsea in 1994. She was a true helpmate to Elmer through 56 years of marriage and a loving mother to her three children. LaVerna was well liked, having a sweet and unassuming disposition. In her more active years, she enjoyed attending church, family get-togethers, travel, reading, gardening, cooking, baking, crocheting and many other craft projects. Perhaps her greatest contribution and most important gift was that of being a witness to others of her deeply committed faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Martin Luther's Rose
LaVerna in 1999
LaVerna suffered a debilitating stroke on 21 February 1992. She was unable to speak, paralyzed on the right side and confined to a wheelchair. She spent five months in a nursing home until Elmer could figure out how to take care of her himself. And figure it out he did, with some trial and error. He sold the home on Scio Church and bought a Bridgetown condominium in Chelsea, where he cared for her at home until the day he died, 2 October 1997. Shortly after his death, LaVerna suffered another stroke which affected her short term memory. She still had the sweetest disposition, even in the face of the strokes and the loss of her Elmer. She lived the rest of her days at Riverview of Ann Arbor.
"A Daughter's Love" by Eileen Ferguson
When I look into your face
I see my past, present and future.
Your eyes hold all the love you've felt for me
Since I was born.
When I'm with you I can feel
And begin to return the love you've given me.
I think I feel the way you must have
The first time you realized you loved me.
You wanted to protect me and teach me to be like you.
Now I want to do the same for you--
Protect you from the world.
But most of all I want you to know
How much I love you.
Or click on one of the following:
[Page 1] [Page 2] [Page 3] [Page 4] [Page 5] [Page 6] [Page 8]