LaVada Jean Goranson

LaVada Jean Goranson, 88, of Fort Collins, lived her life to the fullest and departed peacefully on her next adventure on Saturday, September 2nd 2017, at Pathways Hospice Hospital. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A “Celebration of Life” service will be held on Wednesday, September 13th 2017 at 1pm. LaVada wanted this to be an opportunity for her friends and family to spend time together to share memories and to simply have a joyful time. Please dress “happy” (whatever that means to you). Cremation will have already taken place. MEMORIUM (GIFTS) INFORMATION: If you wish to contribute to a memorium for LaVada, she would prefer that you contribute to one of the options listed at the end of this obituary, instead of flowers. Please use her name (LaVada Goranson). We have also created the contact email (Lavada.Goranson@gmail.com) which you are welcome to use to contact family and to use for any donation. A BRIEF TALE OF AN AMAZING ADVENTURE: (or..”Now for something completely different…”) This recounting of LaVada’s life has been difficult to prepare because she had so many strings to her bow. Her zest and her burning curiosity for all aspects of life, learning and people, coupled with her astonishing intellect, led her to develop many different interests: Music, Science, Language, Fine Arts, Miniatures, Medicine, Education, Adventure & Travel, Civic Duty, Spirituality, Parenting and Nuturing. Whichever activity and interest she turned her mind to, she worked diligently and intelligently, resulting in a high standard of accomplishment. Family: (or “Hatches, Matches and Dispatches”) LaVada was born in Davenport, Iowa on the 5th of December 1928, to Roy Manners and M. Pearl Roush Manners. A family of four siblings (LeRoy, LaVada, Paul and Delores), she is survived by Lee and Dell. Her family moved to Wyoming and each member has accomplished great and interesting things, which is not surprising, considering that this is a family who replaced horses (“too dangerous”) with airplanes (yes, really!). LaVada met her husband-to-be, Fred Goranson (11th January 1926 to 16th June 1995) at the University of Wyoming where they were both students. They married on the 7th of September 1951, in Cheyenne. Three children completed their family, Rolf, Kristina and Linnea, all of whom were fortunate enough to share in many of the adventures that kept LaVada and Fred so busy. LaVada is survived by her daughters, Kristina Goranson-Gallop and Linnea (Goranson) Soler, her daughter-in-law, Cindy Goranson, her son-in-law, Paul Soler, her grandsons, Erik Goranson and Anthony Soler, her granddaughter-in-law, Alyssa Goranson, and her two great-grandsons, Raleigh Goranson and Ian Goranson. LaVada suffered the loss of her husband and her son Rolf, but used her inner strength to keep the family going, despite the pain she so clearly felt. LaVada was so very proud of her entire family and recognized each of our strengths and accomplishments and was unflagging in her support of our lives and our challenges. She had a talent for helping us to work out issues for ourselves with gentle guidance and valuable insights. This guidance and her friendship will be sorely missed. Education: LaVada graduated from Cheyenne High School (WY) as Valedictorian in 1946. She began her tertiary education at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC, Greeley) on a President’s Honour Scholarship. She transferred to the University of Wyoming (Laramie) in 1948 and completed a Bachelors of Science (Pre-Med) in 1950. She became a medical Technologist and qualified in the top 10 in the nation. She was a member of the honour fraternities: Phi Kappa Phi (National Scholastic Fraternity) and Phi Sigma Iota (National Romance Language Fraternity). She was also a member of the Chi Omega sorority. She earned her Elementary School Teacher Certificate from UW in 1954. She earned her Master of Science in Education degree (Elementary School Administration and Early Childhood Education) from the Black Hills State College (Spearfish, SD) in 1975. I admire this last achievement greatly as she did this remotely whilst raising three young children. Kudos to you, Mom! Career: LaVada began her career as a laboratory technician, working in Perryton, TX then in Cheyenne, WY. She then became a teacher, teaching in bush villages in Alaska under the Territorial Department of Education in Pilot Point, and Karluk (western Kodiak Island). LaVada taught the lower grades in two-room schools in Karluk and Teller (north of Nome) whilst her husband taught the upper grades. This continued in Savoonga (St Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea) from 1960-1964. They then taught in Arctic Village (north of Fort Yukon). Access to the village of Savoonga was by walrus-skin boat during the summer months (a trip of 5-6 hours either from Gambell or from North East Cape, where there was a landing strip for bush planes or by dog sled during the winter months, a trip of 12-14 hours). LaVada and Fred ordered their food once a year from Seattle and the North Star ship made delivery of their food, the school’s lunch food, the Native store supplies, and the school’s annual supply of fuel oil (for heat) usually in July. Fresh walrus, reindeer and an occasional Arctic hard supplemented their diet, as well as fresh eggs, in the spring-time, collected by the Eskimos who lowered themselves by ropes down the cliffs to collect the eggs taken from the bird’s nests. In 1964, Fred and LaVada returned to the “Lower 48”, where they worked on the various reservations (Navajo, Mescalero Apache and Cheyenne River Sioux) and in the midst of this, they returned for one year (1972) to Alaska (Bethel). LaVada enjoyed working with the native peoples and relished the cultural insights that she learned from them. A career that often is overlooked, but that is extraordinarily important, is that of parenting. We feel enormously fortunate that we were her children since she gave us her all, unceasingly and always with love and our best interests at heart. Thank you Mom! Music: Music was core to LaVada’s existence and she began her life-long love affair with the cello when she was 14. She played with the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra, The Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra, and The Larimer Symphony Orchestra. She also played with the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, performing with guest artists such as Isaac Stern, Joseph Szigeti, Vitya Vronsky and Victor Babin, Darius Milhaud, and Saul Caston. She worked under the baton of Vladimir Golschmann (St Louis Orchestra) and Saul Caston (Denver Symphony), and our own talent with the CSU Symphony Orchestra, including Will Schwartz, Steve McNeil and Wes Kinney. She played with the CSU orchestra until just a few years ago, when traipsing through the snow with her cello became a bit too challenging for her. She studied cello with Joseph Wetzels, the founder of the Belgian Piano-String Quartet and student of Pablo Casals. She loved music, spent many happy moments attending concerts at the CSU Performing Arts Center and was a benefactor to some of their causes (next time you see the refurbished Steinway lid, think of her.) Fine Arts & Miniatures & Global Village Museum: One of LaVada’s many facets, was her love of the fine arts; she was a talented artist and had a creative soul. She painted (favoring watercolour), created stained glass windows and objects, crafted jewelry (including copper-work, enamel, and even with safety pins and beads). We will miss her little drawings that she adorned her notes and cards with. She was an avid miniaturist and her collection reflects this passion. She made dollhouses, furniture, and a multitude of miniature items. She spent many happy hours sharing this calling (obsession?!?) with her friends in the Miniature Club. LaVada was very involved with the establishment of the Global Village Museum, as a sign of respect and admiration for her dear friend, Jean Nash, whose collection triggered the formation of this museum. This Museum represents the fusion of LaVada’s beliefs and interests (respect for various world cultures that are bound by a common theme of human love and experience). The fact that Jean created the most spectacular miniatures was just icing on the cake. LaVada was so pleased when the Museum had an arctic exhibition and were able to showcase so many elements of the arctic experience LaVada and Fred had. She was so impressed with the quality of the museum and the vision and capability of the staff and volunteers there. Activities, Interest, Fellowships & Friendships: LaVada began learning Spanish in High School and continued her studies throughout her life. She has been an active participant of her Spanish club for many many moons. I called her “my walking dictionary” or, to modernize things, “LaVada-pedia”. With her usual zest for trying something new, she learned how to belly dance and danced with a Northern Colorado Troupe. LaVada was a very active member of the AARP, as treasurer, for many years. Learning through travel gave LaVada much pleasure. She was an active member of the Friendship Force for many years and enjoyed her many adventures with the group and relished her friendships that she formed with her host-families. She travelled to Australia, England, Scotland, Norway, Kenya, New Zealand, Mexico, Chile, Japan, Jamaica, Yugoslavia, Ireland, Spain, and Morocco (to name but a few!). Throughout all of LaVada’s and Fred’s travels, they called Colorado and Wyoming home. In particular, their cabin in the Snowy Range was treasured, not simply for the natural beauty and peace that they both found there, but for the deep and long-enduring friendship of their neighbours. This friendship is a legacy that is treasured by the family. LaVada was extremely fortunate to find a group of like-minded individuals in Tapestry (a lively spiritual discussion group) who share her enthusiasm for learning, her open-mindedness, and her curiosity about and her compassion for the human experience and its place in the overall scheme of things and who were an extended family to her. LaVada enjoyed people and, as such, developed an extensive network of friends. I know how much she valued her friendship with each and everyone of you. Each time we spoke, she related the various stories of her friends with genuine affection, concern and pride. Thank you for sharing your life with her. Summary: There is so much more to LaVada and her life than I have been able to put down here. Any errors (factual, grammatical, spelling) are purely my own. We welcome your reflections on her life, either on this website or by email (write to Lavada.Goranson@gmail.com) or by post. LaVada left a selection of poems to be shared with her friends for this moment, please read on… Prepared by: Linnea (Goranson) Soler on behalf of the family 10th September 2017 POEMS: These were selected by LaVada to share with her friends: Miss me - - but let me go Anonymous When I come to the end of the road And the sun as set on me, I want to rites int a glood filled room, Why cry for a soul set free? Miss me a little - - but not too long, And not with your head bowed low. Remember the love we once shared, Miss me - - but let me go. For this is a journey we all must take And each must go alone. It’s all a part of the Master’s plan A step on the road home. When you are lonely and sick at heart Go to the friends we know And bury your sorrows in doing Good deeds. Miss me - - but let me go. How Can I Leave James TwoFeather December 1995 How can I leave these mountains? Where can I find their peace and serenity? The calm of night? The freshness of its air The muffled roar of its stream? The beauty of its sunrises and downs? Never, never shall I leave All these things even when I am elsewhere Even though I be elsewhere in my heart I’ll be here forever. I shall never leave this place that I love. James TwoFeather December 1995 MEMORIUM SUGGESTIONS: Dear Friend, Thank you for being part of LaVada’s life! We have been asked about memorial gifts/donations. In response, No flowers please (although they are beautiful, LaVada was an extremely practical person and stated clearly that she would rather the money go to helping someone instead. Therefore, if you would like to make a donation in her name, here is a list of a few organisations (in no particular order) of which LaVada would greatly approve. Note: If you do wish to make a donation, please indicate: In memorium of: LaVada Goranson Contact/notification address: Lavada.Goranson@gmail.com (this email will notify family of your gift) Detailed information for each of these suggestions (Global Village Museum, Ghost Ranch, Pathways Hospice, Le Sabre Indian School, National Public Radio) follows here: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Global Village Museum LaVada has been involved at the grass roots level in the establishment of this marvellous museum that combines the her interests of the global community with her passion for miniatures. https://www.coloradogives.org/GlobalVillageMuseum/overview 2) Ghost Ranch, Education & Retreat Centre, Abique, New Mexico LaVada spent many happy summers here taking courses from Paleontology to Spanish to Personal development. The people she met there and the knowledge learned, added richness and peace to her world. If you haven’t been, it is a wonderful place to discover! There are a few options on-line, here is some guidance: https://www.ghostranch.org/support/donate/ Apply my donation to: “Annual Fund- for whatever is most useful” Gift on Honour of or in Memorial: “Memorial” Honor or Memorial Name & Address: Name: LaVada Goranson & Address: Lavada.Goranson@gmail.com Postal/Telephone donations to Ghost Ranch: Ghost Ranch 280 Private Drive 1708 Abiquiu, NM 87510 Telephone (toll-free): 877-804-4678 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3) Pathways Hospice We are deeply grateful to the entire Pathways Hospice team (who helped with personal care, medical care, companionship, counseling, music therapy and the very intensive support at the very final stage…the list just goes on and on) who were marvelous in supporting this final stage of LaVada’s life. Donations can be made on-line through the link below, by phone, or by mail to the address listed below: https://pathways-care.org/giving/memorial-donations-gifts/ Please note the name of the loved one in the memo line of your check or on a separate piece of paper for a donation by mail. If you are making a memorial donation online (select “Program Support” and “In Memory of” ), please include the name of the individual your gift is in memory of in the space provided. Pathways will send the family a letter acknowledging your memorial donation. (Email Address, insert: Lavada.Goranson@gmail.com) Pathways Memorial Donations 305 Carpenter Road Fort Collins, CO 80525 T: 970.663.3500 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. St Labre Indian School LaVada has supported this school for years as it coincides with her love of teaching, her love of children and her long-lasting involvement in the Native American culture. http://www.stlabre.org Gifts like this are truly special, because while you are honoring someone close to you, you are also touching the lives of nearly 750 Native American boys and girls here. Through your generosity, you are investing in the future for these children who might otherwise be forgotten. Please know that you and that special person you chose to honor are in our thoughts and prayers always. God bless you for your kindness https://e-activist.com/page/5181/donate/1?HEADER=SLISTWEB&CPID=17TWEB&SRC=17TWEBTWEB&MIN=20&AMT=20,25,30,50,100&PC=NONE,WHTBLK,WBUFFALO 5) National Public Radio (you may donate by check or on-line). LaVada enjoyed the classical music as well as the well-researched news that provides a world view of emerging situations. I know she would also plead “BRING BACK CLASSICAL MUSIC on “normal” FM radio for Fort Collins music lovers please!” Generous donations from individuals like you ensure that public broadcasting is available to all Americans. Here is the pertinent information you will need from us in order to make an honorific or memorial contribution to PBS: • The “PBS Foundation” is the legal name of the Public Broadcasting Service’s national fundraising entity. The PBS Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation organized and existing under the laws of the District of Columbia. • Checks can made payable to PBS Foundation and mailed to PBS Foundation at 2100 Crystal Drive, 3rd Floor, Arlington, Virginia 22202. Please include any acknowledgement details. (In Memorium for LaVada Goranson; Contact Details: Lavada.Goranson@gmail.com) • To donate online, (http://www.pbs.org/foundation/ways-to-give/pbs-donation-form/) select donate online, then email your confirmation number to pbsfoundation@pbs.org with any acknowledgement details. (In Memorium for LaVada Goranson; Contact Details: Lavada.Goranson@gmail.com) • The PBS Foundation’s federal tax ID number is 20-1476451. For more information contact: Phone: (703) 739-5051 Email: pbsfoundation@pbs.org

Tributes

LaVada Jean Goranson

December 5, 1928 - September 2, 2017