Obituary: La Verne (Kelly( Ninedorf - Class of 1951

MADISON /ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - La Verne Ninedorf [age 82] was reunited with the love her life on May 16, 2015. She is survived by her five children, Deborah (Mark) Montavon, Sherrie (Brian) Ray, Jim (Karen) Ninedorf, Dave Ninedorf, and Kelly (Scott) Oliver; and six grandchildren, Mindy (Marcus) Kiehl, Anne Montavon, Tyler (Myesha) Ray, Aisha Ray, Jeff (Virginia) Ninedorf, and Austin Oliver; two great-grandchildren, Skyler and Tristan Ninedorf; and one brother, R. Michael (MaryAnn) Kelly. She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Frank Ninedorf; and her parents, Raymond and Ann Kelly. Born on Jan. 27, 1933, and raised in Madison, she attended Central High School and graduated with the class of 1951. She married Frank "Sonny" Ninedorf in 1953, and they went directly to Roswell, N.M., where Sgt. Ninedorf was first stationed in the Air Force. For 17 years she followed Frank on his assignments to such places as: England, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Nevada, only to be separated when Frank went to Thailand. They lived in Madison and then DeForest, where La Verne was a cook at Pumpkin Hollow Grade School. She loved the children and the children loved her and her good cooking. In 1990 they moved to Florida and later settled in St. Petersburg, where La Verne thrived. She loved the sun where she could swim, the club house where she could play cards and bingo and get her stacks of books from the library. She and Frank worked at the stadium when the Yankees had spring training. For many years they would spend their summers back in Madison with family and friends, until their health no longer allowed them to travel. La Verne was a loving and loyal wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. All those who knew her couldn't help but love her. She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in St. Petersburg, Fla. She accredited her strong faith to keeping her going despite her many illnesses. Baseball was another passion she delighted in and when the Rays were winning, she was their biggest fan. We'll miss her dearly but are comforted in knowing she died the way she had always prayed she would, and she did not pass alone. A Mass of Christian Burial was on Friday, May 22, 2015, at HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH in St. Petersburg, Fla. A second memorial Mass will be held in Madison at a later date to be determined. Mom, we hope that now that you are reunited with dad, may you dance and run together and may your coupons never expire.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on May 24, 2015. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968).