On Thursday, October 27, 2016, Rosa LaVern Stonehocker passed away in Cold Lake at the age of 96 years.
In 1933, LaVern came to the Cold Lake area with her parents and siblings to escape the drought in southern Alberta. She married the local school teacher, Joe Stonehocker, in 1939 and raised their family of 9 children in Cherry Grove. LaVern and Joe were active in the community and in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon) and she loved and served all who crossed her path. Their home was always open and there was always enough food for whoever was there at meal time; and there was always hot chocolate for the kids who came to slide down “Stonehocker Hill” in the winter. She cooked at the Grand Centre Hotel and ran the Homesteader Bakery on main street Grand Centre with her husband and sister, Edith. LaVern and Joe served two missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints during their retirement. LaVern spent her last years at the Cold Lake Lodge and finally in Long Term Care, where she was lovingly cared for by the staff.
LaVern is survived by her eight sons: Ardwyn Stonehocker of Innisfail, AB, Vaun (Vicki) Stonehocker of Innisfail, AB; Ellis (Glenda) Stonehocker of Calgary, AB; Ron (Diane) Stonehocker of Cherry Grove, AB; Nelson (Joanne) Stonehocker of Lethbridge, AB; Jay (Gail) Stonehocker of Orem, Utah; Owen (Janet) Stonehocker of Cherry Grove, AB; Eldon (Cynthia) Stonehocker of Mapleton, Utah; thirty six grandchildren; eighty eight great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; two brothers: Ren (Linda) Hatch of St. Paul, AB and Neldon (Priscilla) Hatch of Cardston, AB; three sisters: Cathy Roper of Shoreline, Washington, Edith Claybert of Cold Lake, AB and Opal Greep of Calgary, AB.
LaVern was predeceased by: husband Joseph Stonehocker in 1994; daughter Loya Stonehocker in 2013; three grandchildren: Ardith Stonehocker, Jonathan Stonehocker, Haley Stonehocker; two great grandchildren: Brittney Marple and Sydnie Marple; three daughters-in-law: Louise, Pat, Annalee; parents: Victor and Susan Hatch; three brothers: Vinall, Deloss, Darrnall; three sisters: Irece Burgess, Noreen Pattyson and Lois Burgess.
Funeral Service, Saturday, November 5, 2016, at 11:00 a.m., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Cherry Grove, Alberta with Bishop Vincent Burgess officiating. Pallbearers - LaVern's sons: Ardwyn, Vaun, Ellis, Ron, Nelson, Jay, Owen, Eldon. Final Resting Place, Cherry Grove Community Cemetery, Cherry Grove, Alberta.
Memorial tributes in memory of LaVern may be sent to the Charity of one's choice.