LaVerne R. Bellmer

LaVerne R. Bellmer, 85, passed away gracefully on Saturday, September 3, 2011, at Hospice Home of Hope, Fond du Lac. She was born on August 14, 1926, in her maternal grandparents’ home in Oakfield, a daughter of Orin E. and Edna R. Zuehlke Orvis. She was baptized August 22, 1926, by Pastor Otto in St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Brownsville. She was confirmed March 17, 1940, by Pastor Gerhard Pieper in St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Fond du Lac. She then attended Roosevelt Jr. High School and later graduated in 1944 from Fond du Lac Senior High School.On January 4, 1947, LaVerne married Howard A. Bellmer.She worked at Larsen’s Photography Studio, Fond du Lac, for more than 20 years. Being an accomplished seamstress, LaVerne sewed for her aunt who made custom drapery. LaVerne purchased her aunt’s business in the sixties and continued making custom draperies for 30 years.She was an active member of St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church, North Fond du Lac, for many years. Her involvement included the church’s senior choir and the ladies aide, WInGS. She also was a member of WLA Ladies Auxiliary since 1961. She held several offices of both the auxiliary and ladies aide during the past 50 years.LaVerne helped found the Hands on Friendship 4-H Club and was an adult project leader for cooking and sewing. She also enjoyed gardening, canning, fishing, and most of all, her family.She is survived by three children: Bridget Oelke of Fond du Lac, Michael (Susan) Bellmer of Fond du Lac, and Peter Bellmer of Argyle, TX; nine grandchildren: Scott (Kristin) Boevers of Oshkosh, Brian (Mary) Boevers of Lomira, Jedediah (Aimee) Oelke of Menasha, Tabitha (Scott) Herbst of Menasha, Angela (Todd) Cardinal of Van Dyne, Michelle (Duane) Hass of Van Dyne, Amy Ott of Fond du Lac, Lisa (Nick) Fowlkes of Rowlett, TX, and Brittany (Roman) Wrobel of McKinney, TX; 15 great-grandchildren: Zack Frank and Alex Rothe, both of Fond du Lac, Eva Thomas, Kaytlyn, Madison, and Jonah Oelke, Peyton Herbst, all of Menasha, Alexandria, Carlee, and Blake Boevers, all of Lomira, Paige Boevers of Oshkosh, Layne and Mikah Fowlkes of Rowlett, TX, and Sidney Lynn and Max Wrobel, both of McKinney, TX;and a brother, Lorin (Rose) Orvis of Fond du LacShe was preceded in death by her parents; her husband on May 16, 2010; a sister, Robertus OrvisThe funeral service will be at noon on Thursday, September 8, 2011, at St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 1010 Adams Avenue, North Fond du Lac, with Rev. Thomas H. Behnke and Rev. Michael Kampman officiating. Burial will be at Avoca Cemetery, Oakfield. The visitation will be at church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to her beloved St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Winnebago Lutheran Academy, and Agnesian HealthCare Hospice Home of Hope, whose staff cared for her with so much love and respect during her final earthly days.

LaVerne R. Bellmer

August 14, 1926 - September 3, 2011