LaVina Susie Stram

Obituary for Lavina S. Stram LaVina Susie Guenther Stram left this world and headed for her eternal home on Monday, October 26, 2015. She was 86. She was born at home in Delft, Minnesota near the town of Windom on October 6, 1929 to John Cornelius Guenther and Susie Agnes Goertzen Guenther. LaVina graduated from Salem Academy in 1947. She studied nursing at Emmanuel Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1951. Later that same year she passed the Oregon State Board examinations and became a Registered Nurse. On December 28, 1953 LaVina married Donald E. Stram in Salem. Into their union were born five children: Jonathon Mark, LaDona Susan, Ramona Kay, David Eugene, and Thomas Donald. LaVina and Don were married for forty years; Don died in 1994. Don’s work as a Pastor took the Stram family from South Dakota to Oklahoma to Oregon, then to Idaho, California and New Mexico, before the family settled in Newberg, where LaVina continued until her death. LaVina’s passion for nursing supplied her with steady work every time the family moved. Since 1972 LaVina has lived in Newberg. In 1972 she was hired as a staff nurse at Friendsview Manor. From 1979 to 1996 she served as Director of Nursing Services; she became the Director of Staff Development from 1996 until her retirement in 2005. Throughout these years she was an enthusiastic worker at Newberg Christian Church. She directed the children’s ministries in earlier years, led Bible studies in her home following the death of her husband, and was instrumental in establishing the Stephen Ministries at the church. LaVina loved nursing, encouraging and mentoring people, studying and teaching God’s Word, singing Hymns, and above all she loved her family. She served her parents, adored her three older brothers, cared deeply for her husband, mothered her children and doted on her grandchildren. LaVina is survived by her brother, Donald Guenther of Salem; children Jon of Harrisburg, LaDona Hughes of Canby, David of Creswell, Ramona Gillett of Snohomish, WA; Tom of Newberg; twelve grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 1, at the Newberg Christian Church.

LaVina Susie Stram

October 6, 1929 - October 26, 2015