LaVerne JoAnn (Voeks) Williams, 90, of Sturgeon Bay, died peacefully at home with her daughters by her side on June 7th, 2012.
She was born on September 22, 1921, the daughter of Dewey and Lillian (Riley) Crofford in Paris, TX. LaVerne graduated from Paris High School and went on to study at Paris Junior College and Texas Woman’s University. She earned her teaching certification in physical education from Paris Junior College where she eventually taught (physical education). Dance and acrobatics were included as part of her curriculum, two activities she was very passionate about.
LaVerne worked at Camp Maxey in Paris, TX, during WWII. She married Elton Voeks on June 25, 1943, in San Diego, CA. When LaVerne wasn’t teaching dance in class, she and Elton enjoyed clearing the dance floor and dancing the quickstep and the jitterbug. After the war, LaVerne, Elton, and his brother, Orville built the Lake Theater in Baileys Harbor and the Skyway Drive-In in Fish Creek. LaVerne and Elton also owned Voeks’ AG Foods in Baileys Harbor from 1958 until 1971. Elton preceded her in death after 55 years of marriage on March 13, 1998. She then married her high school sweetheart, Joe Robert “Todd” Williams, on January 27, 1999. They lived in Opelika, AL where La Verne made many close friends and enjoyed time with Todd’s children and grandchildren. Todd died on December 13, 2005.
She will be dearly missed by her two daughters, Jeri (Larry) Castiglione of Manhattan, KS, and Debra Voeks of Sturgeon Bay, WI; grandchildren, Lisa (Dave Prockish) Jonas of Manhattan, KS, Jason (Courtney) Krueger of Tucson, AZ, and Dana (Tristin) Ganter of Chicago, IL; four great-grandchildren, Paige Jonas, Autumn and Faith Krueger, Mirroa Ganter, Danielle Prockish; sister, Jean McClellan of Grand Prairie, Texas; sisters-in-law, Dorlene Larson of Baileys Harbor, WI, Ruby Toft of Sturgeon Bay, WI, and Sherry Parham Charles of Paris, TX; dear friend Kathy Grogan, St Louis, MO and her daughter Heather Grogan, Denver, CO who were both considered family and many other friends and relatives.
LaVerne was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, and her two brothers “Pete” Parham and “Maurice” Crofford.
Private family graveside services will be held in July.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Unity Hospice for their loving care and support. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Unity Hospice (2366 Oak Ridge Circle, De Pere, WI 54115) or the Door County Humane Society (3475 Park Drive, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235).
Huehns Funeral Home of Sturgeon Bay is assisting the family.
Offer condolences and sign online guestbook at http://www.huehnsfuneralhome.com/.
