Letha LaRue

Letha LaRue, 90, of Oskaloosa passed away Tuesday evening, February 4, 2014, at the Crystal Heights Care Center in Oskaloosa, IA. Letha LaRue was born, February 19, 1923, in rural Lacey, Iowa to Harold and Hulda (Vail) DeWitt. She was a 1940 graduate of Lacey High School where she was a member of the basketball team. After high school Letha attended the Ottumwa School of Beauty and graduated in 1941. December 5, 1943, Letha was united in marriage to Floyd LaRue at the Lacey United Methodist Church. They made their home on a farm near Lacey. Letha was a true helpmate to her husband, helping with the many farm chores in addition to her duties of mother and homemaker. Letha and Floyd farmed together from 1943 until Floyd’s death in 2003. When her son Ken took over the farming operation, Letha continued to help Ken as well. Letha was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and Atlanta Braves fan. When she was 80 years of age, she was able to tour Turner Field, Home of the Atlanta Braves. A memorable moment for her was standing in front of Chipper Jones’ and Andrew Jones’ lockers. Letha enjoyed bowling in the ladies league and leagues. She also loved to play cards with her grandchildren. Family was very important to Letha and she attended as many of the sports and school activities of her grandchildren as possible. She was also very active in the Republican Party and sat on the election board for many years. Letha was a member of the Lacey United Methodist Church and held many positions within the church such as Sunday school teacher, treasurer and church office manager. She enjoyed doing whatever needed to be done at the church, quietly behind the scenes doing the Lord’s work. Letha’s family includes her two children, Barbara Davis of Glencoe, AL and Kenneth LaRue of New Sharon, Iowa; five grandchildren: Shawn (Traci) LaRue of Eddyville, IA, Michelle (Mike) Velmont of Palatine, IL, Brandy (Eric) Pacheco of Newbury Park, CA, Sara (Mike) Laesch of Mt. Horeb, WI, and Justin (Nadia) Davis of Nashville, TN; seven great-grandchildren: Adam & Grant LaRue of Eddyville, IA, Aspen & Easton Laesch of Mt. Horeb, WI, Reagen Pacheco of Newbury Park, CA, and Brookelyn & Victoria Velmont of Palatine, IL; and many nieces and nephews. Letha was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Floyd LaRue; one sister, Neta DeWitt and a son-in-law, Jerry Davis. Funeral services for Letha will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 8, 2014, at the Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Rev. Roger White of Lacey United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m., Saturday at the Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will be present from 9:30 to service time to greet visitors. Memorials may be made to the Lacey United Methodist Church or Iowa Hospice.

Letha LaRue

February 19, 1923 - February 4, 2014