The 13th of September 1933 was a lovely day in Tucson, Arizona, because that is the day that a chubby baby girl with long black hair was born to Hyrum LaVar and LaVona Jones Price; they named her LaVana. LaVana’s father, Hyrum, was working so hard to finish the adobe home he was building in Binghampton, Arizona, for his daughter to come home to. He kept ignoring the pain in his side. As the newborn LaVana came home from the hospital, her father went into the hospital where he soon died from appendicitis. This was just the first of the many trials that LaVana would gracefully endure throughout her life.
Despite losing her father, Lavana was surrounded by many extended family members in the small LDS community of Binghampton, just 6 miles outside of Tucson. There, LaVana attended grade school and was the third fastest student in her 6th grade class and she was one of the tallest at 5’11”. While just a girl, LaVana decided she wanted to learn to play the piano and begged her mom to let her take piano lessons. Her mom took her to the used piano store and LaVana picked out a white upright piano that she loved. LaVana was very dedicated to her piano playing which she played beautifully. She gave lessons to so very many students for over 60+ years.
LaVana struggled with shyness as a young girl and to help her overcome this LaVana’s Aunt Faye would have her sit on a bench in town and say “How do you do?” as people walked by her bench. You would never guess that LaVana was ever a shy child as later in life she was so friendly and outgoing to all. LaVana was delighted to visit with anyone that stopped by for a chat. She often shared her words of wisdom and encouragement. Her words often made a burden lighter or gave great advice on how to handle a difficult situation.
At the age of sixteen LaVana met Edward R. Germaine, after a brief courtship they married on 22nd of June 1950. They had their first child, Quinton Lee Germaine, in 1951. While he was still a baby, LaVana got rheumatic fever that left her very ill for quite some time. After LaVana recovered, she had her second son, Timothy, and then two lovely daughters, Rebecca and Jeanine. LaVana always loved children and was so kind to them. LaVana decided she wanted more children and so they adopted Reo, Cody, Dolan, Sean and Heidi. They were added to the Germaine Family and became her beloved children.
LaVana loved each of her children and delighted in sewing clothes for them. She made countless loaves of bread and bottled many wonderful jars of produce from her garden. Despite money hardships, LaVana always set a beautifully laid table for family meals, often with wildflowers picked and set in a jar.
LaVana enjoyed making quilts for others throughout her life. She would often piece them and then quilt or tie them. Besides making quilts, LaVana loved to read. She delighted in a good book and surrounded herself with them. She was always learning and loved to discuss what she was reading. LaVana spent many years teaching the gospel at church and sharing her testimony of the Savior. Later in life, when LaVana was single, she began corresponding with a very kind man named Val Parke. They decided to wed and had ten wonderful years together. They served a mission in Austin, Texas which is something LaVana always longed to do. She enjoyed attending the temple faithfully.
LaVana was such an example of patience, kindness and faith to all who knew her. She cheerfully endured every trial with optimism and hope. She was industrious with her time and talents on this earth and she lovingly gave so much service throughout her life. A light of peace & joy went out of this world when LaVana, age 86, passed on to eternal rest on June 16, 2020.
She is survived by: her children; Quinton (Carol), Tim, Cody of Duncan, Rebecca (Scott Pugmire) of Albuquerque, NM, Jeanine (Gabe Munguia) of Phoenix, Dolan (Cindy) of Tucson, Sean of Pennsylvania and Heidi of Las Vegas; her sister, Louise (Curt Jorgensen) of Thatcher; and her brothers, David Hawkins and John Hawkins of Farmington, NM.
LaVana is preceded in death by: her parents; brother, Norman Price; and her son, Reo (Gaira) Germaine.
Private family graveside services for LaVana will be conducted Saturday, June 20, 2020, at 6:00 p.m., in the Franklin Cemetery by her nephew, Bishop Jeff Jorgensen.
Online condolences may be offered at www.viningfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Vining Funeral Home.
