"Please accept condolences on behalf of my mother, Lois Carlson. Lois and Vera lived in the same senior building in Centerville. My Mom, my Dad (prior to his death in 2015) would occasionally go on outings with Vera. I loved the Vera was a Rosie during WWII. She had a lively and adventurous spirit. But this has been a hard year's end. My own mother died just 10 days before Vera. I know this is a sad time for you. Please accept my prayers on behalf of your mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. "
In loving memory of
Vera L. LaMotte
September 8, 1918 - December 24, 2017
Age 99 of Centerville, passed away on December 24, 2017. Vera Lorraine Sparrow was born on September 8, 1918, to Clayton and Katie (Dalenberg) Sparrow in Simpson, Minnesota. Vera was united in marriage to Floyd LaMotte on September 10, 1947. They lived in Centerville, Minnesota, where they raised their four children - Jeanne, Joe, Jim, and Jay. Vera was employed as a riveter in California during World War II. After her marriage, she was a storekeeper of the LaMotte General Store, and she was later employed by a children's store and Anderson Party Supply in White Bear Lake. She regularly attended Living Faith Church in Circle Pines until her illness.
Vera is survived by her daughter, Jeanne (Jim) Haynes of Summertown, TN; her sons, Joe (Jane) of Atlanta, GA; Jim (Debbie) of Stacy, MN; and Jay (Kiki) of Anoka, MN; 10 grandchildren - Nissa Fuller (fiancé Dave) of Chandler, AZ; David (Shelly) of Mesa, AZ; Jenna (Zac) Warner of Summertown, TN; Nicole Lemus of Muskego, WI; Meggan (Joe) Veierstahler of Glendale, WI; Chris LaMotte of Atlanta, GA; Gina LaMotte of Austin, TX; Jacob LaMotte of Stacy, MN; Miller LaMotte of Minneapolis, MN; and Baker LaMotte of Anoka, MN; and 18 great-grandchildren - Makenzie, Maya, Trinity, Reese, Drew, Max, Ethan, Broden, Trayton, Baylor, Paxton (deceased), Tuskin (deceased), Blaise, Tuxton, Andres, Luca, Sophia, and Kate. Other survivors include her sister, Elizabeth (Rod) Lawrence of Burbank, CA; and her brother, Ronald (Yvonne) Sparrow of Hugo, MN.
Vera was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Floyd; her sisters, Irene Harnesh, Maxine Scharpen, and Grace Butler; her brothers, Merlin Sparrow, Arnold Sparrow, Stewart Sparrow, George Sparrow, Roger Sparrow, and Everel Sparrow; and her great-grandchildren, Paxton Warner and Tuskin Warner.
Vera was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother; she had a deep faith in God and a great love of music.
A Celebration of Vera's Life 11 AM Saturday, June 16th with visitation one hour prior at Roberts Family Life Celebration Home, 555 SW Centennial Dr., Forest Lake. Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis.
Tributes
"The candy counter at LaMottes store was a favorite. We would come in with our pennies in hand and struggle to make up our mind. Vera was so patient with us. Kathy Peloquin Limanen"
"Vera was a fun loving person who loved to tell everyone her age! She talked about her grandchildren all the time. She was so proud of them. She was so always so happy when I came by to drop off her flowers each Month. We had time to catch up on what was going on in each of our lives. She was such a great women who I admired from the first time we met. She was such a independent women who never wanted to bother anyone for help. She did not want to think she coule not do it herself. I will miss her very much! sending love & prayers to her family during this difficult time. Debra - Centerville Floral Shop"