LaVina Catherine Petruska
December 30, 1924 - February 26, 2013
Obituary
LaVina Catherine Petruska
LaVina was born December 30, 1924 in Circle, Montana. She was the youngest of nine children, born to John and Margaret Schumacher. The family moved to Polson, Montana to pursue the booming lumber industry when LaVina was just one. At the age of 17, she moved to Bremerton, Washington with her sister Eve to work in the shipyards during World War II. She met her husband Nick, who was in the Army at that time at a dance hall in Tacoma. LaVina and Nick were married June 7, 1944 at Camp Kohler, CA. After the war, they moved back to Polson and started their family. In 1958, they bought their first car and moved to Anaconda, Montana with the first six of ten children. LaVina was known in Anaconda for treating all of her kids’ friends like members of her own family. In 1987, they moved to Kent, Washington to be closer to the majority of the family and to be able to enjoy their grand & great grandchildren. LaVina enjoyed dancing with her husband and was a loving housewife and caregiver to her family. She was a beautiful seamstress and enjoyed gardening and crafts.
LaVina is preceded in death by her husband, Nick; and sons, Terry and Rodney. She is survived by her older brother Edmund (Grace) and children Nick (Judy), Janice (Bob), Mary Jo (Jeff), Vicki Lynn (Rick), Gary (Mary), Ronald (Gwen), Patti (Ted), and JerriLee (Scotty), with 22 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
Services will be held at Bonney-Watson Funeral Home, 1535 SW Dash Point Road, Federal Way, Washington at 11:00 AM Monday on the 4th of March, 2013. Interment services will follow at Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery, 37600 Pacific Hwy S. Services will be officiated by Father Stephen Hess.
Mom I will miss you and treasure the time we had together, our trip to Europe with Judy & Rose is on the top of my list. We don’t realize how short our time on earth is until times like this. Please forgive me for my misgivens and one day we will be together again in heaven. Love, your son Nick
Mammason, what am I going to do without you? I won’t have you to cover up when I think you are cold,force you to drink some water when it was the last thing you wanted, put food in front of you and have you say no,but eat it all anyway and have you lay on my bed with me while we watched NCIS only to have you fall asleep, but open your eyes to check and see what I was going to do if I moved.
I never heard you raise your voice in anger (except for one time) and that was a quality I always admired. You are with God and no longer suffering..Watch over all your children as you will greatly be missed.
Love your daughter-in-law, Judy Jo
For Patti and all of the Petruska family –
Sending love your way – and wishing you hours on end filled with stories and memories of your beautiful mom. It’s good to know there will be lots of other Class of 79 mothers there to welcome her in…..
LaVina was our neighbor for 20 years and wil be greatly missed. Our only complaint however, is that her beautifully manicured yard and spectacular holiday decorations always put our yard to shame. 😉 She was a blessing to so many and we are thankful we had the joy of knowing her.
Laurie & Steve
So sorry for your loss … prayers for a peaceful rest.
Patti and family,
I can only imagine what great faith and love it takes to give back to God the incredible gift we are given in our mothers. As you celebrate her beautiful life know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
When I think of La Vina, two words come to mind, beauty and grace. She never had a hair out of place and always greeted you with that amazing smile.
She raised an amazing family who have stuck together through thick and thin.
Have comfort in knowing she is with her favorite dance partner and the love of her life. Watch out Fred and Ginger, you have new competition up there.
Two of her girls, Patti and JerriLee have been a big part of my life, and my thoughts and prayers are with you all as you face this tough transition in your life. Hugs to you all.
So sorry to hear about the death of your mother. I never knew her that well, but every time I seen her she was always dressed to a “”T”” and never a hair out of place. She raised a beautiful family, and I am sure she will be truly missed by you all. Our thoughts and prayers to Patti and all of your family. Patti
Dear Patti & family
I’m so sorry to hear of La Vina’s passing. I remember so many things about your Mom. She was so pretty, I remember going home and telling my Mom that your Mom was a model. And everytime we would pile into your house, your Mom always was happy to see us and wanted us to eat something. The first time I ever had chilli & cheese dip was at a yearbook signing party in your basement, and I remember begging your Mom for the recipe! So it is only fitting that when I make it I think of her, and now my kids make it too, and yes I’ve bored them senseless with the same story I just related above. So the love and memories continue. I wish I could be there to hug you all and tell you this in person, but please know that in my heart I’m standing next to you.
Patti:
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Your family is in my prayers as you say goodbye to your mother. May many happy memories of your life with here on earth surround you in the days ahead and give you strength.
THANK YOU,
Thank you for my family, without you I would not be.
Thank you for your compassion, as a child growing up you showed me nothing but love.
Thank you for being the grandparent that every child should have chance to know.
Thank you for the memories, thank you for leaving me with nothing but memories of kindness and love.
You and grandpa will always be in my heart and my memories.
Patti…I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Big Hugs…..
Mary Jo and family – So sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. It is so hard to lose a mother. I pray that God gives you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
I will always treasure the memories of being at your home and how much your Mom and Dad and your entire family always did make me feel welcome. I know Nick and your Mom are together again and all the house projects are getting done by just wishing them so.
Take Care,
Tim
Ron/Gwen & Petruska Family. We are sorry to hear about your mom passing. Your family was always good to us. Your mom raised some good kids and hope you got to spend some good quality time with her in her last years. Love. D&B
Dear Petruska Family
We send our loving thoughts and prayers to you all. What wonderful memories you must all share-may these memories sustain you through this difficult time.What a blessing you can all be together
We send our love to all
Ed and Lisa
Dear Petruska’s and Extended Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you all during your time of mourning. LaVina is surely joining the clan up there and is in a comfortable place now. Love you all.
~Amy
Dear Patti & Family
I am deeply sorry for your loss. Prayers being sent to help get through this difficult time of sorrow.
Vicki MaryJo and Family
So sorry to hear about your mom. She lived a great life.
Take care
Petruska Family,
We are all so sorry to hear about Lavina. We are keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
We were LaVina’s neighbors for over 20 years in Kent. She was a true lady and one of the sweetest and most caring women we’ve known. She was so proud of her family and told some wonderful stories. The entire neighborhood enjoyed her holiday decorations. She will be sorely missed. Our condolences go out to her family. She loved you all so much. I believe she and Nick are dancing again in heaven.
Kathy and Rich
We are sorry to hear about Lavina. She was blessed with a long life and loving family.I’m sure her and Nick are happy to be togeather again.
Dear Petruska family,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I am sending thoughts your way, and hope that you are able to enjoy some celebration of good memories and a life well lived, at the same time that you mourn. We are all lucky to have whatever time we have… amazing how fast it goes.
Love always,
Meredith
sorry for your loss thoughts and prayers headed your way
So sorry for the loss of your mom, Patty. I remember her being so classy and wearing a dress…even at home. I am sure she was so proud of her children and especially you.
Gary, So sorry about your mom!!! Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Very sorry for your loss, reading her obit sounds like she had a beautiful life and lived it fully.
I am a genealogist, my great-grandfather Joseph Breitbach helped raise LaVina’s mother, Maggie.
I am looking for information on Maggie’s father
Thank you
Kim
tkdplace@brainerd.net