"To the Redlinger family, I am sorry for your loss. LaVern was one of the good men in my childhood. He was a great baseball coach, which must have taken immeasurable patience! He will be missed by many."
In loving memory of
LaVern Michael Redlinger
November 7, 1937 - November 30, 2020
FAIRFIELD-LaVern Michael Redlinger, age 83, of Fairfield, formerly of Harper, died Monday, November 30, 2020, at Sunnybrook Living Care Center in Fairfield.
LaVern was born November 7, 1937, in Harper, to Michael and Margaret (Sondag) Redlinger and graduated from St. Elizabeth High School in 1955. He served in the Army Reserves from 1955 until 1959. On January 14, 1961, he married Betty Jean Rich at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Harper. LaVern farmed and was a Crow's seed corn dealer for many years. He also worked at Maplewood Manor for 27 years, retiring in 2007. Betty Jean passed away in 1992. LaVern then married Janet (Scriven) Helmuth on July 21, 1998 in Branson, Missouri. LaVern was a member of Holy Trinity Parish, served on the Parish Council, sang in the choir and was a member of the Keota-Harper Catholic School Board, serving as President in 1978. He enjoyed tractor and truck pulling, demolition derbies and coaching little league in Harper for many years.
Survivors include his wife: Janet of Fairfield; five children: Bill (Annette) Redlinger of Richland, Jeff (Sandra) Redlinger of Sigourney, Greg Redlinger of Harper, Bruce (Neva) Redlinger of North English and Rhonda (Robert) Sprouse of Selma; nine grandchildren; one great grandson; two step daughters: Brenda (Jim) Oskam of Newton and Angela Robinson of Cedar Rapids; six step grandchildren; seven step great grandchildren and brother: Francis Redlinger of Marengo. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife: Betty Jean; brother: Edwin in childhood and sisters: Miriam McArtor, Dorothy Conrad, Winifred Wehr, Bernadette Redlinger and Margaret Striegel.
Funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 4, 2020, at Holy Trinity Parish - St. Mary Catholic Church in Keota, with Rev. Robert Lathrop officiating. The funeral will also be livestreamed on the Powell Funeral Home facebook page. Burial will be at Holy Trinity Cemeteries - St. Elizabeth Cemetery in Harper. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. on Friday at the church.
A memorial fund has been established for Holy Trinity Cemeteries or the Alzheimer's Association. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is caring for LaVern and his family. Tributes may be made at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.
Tributes
"So sorry to hear of LaVern's death. So many great memories of working with LaVern at Maplewood Manor. He was great to work with and loved the residents there and would go above and beyond to help anyone. My deepest sympathy to all of his family. "
"Sorry to hear of LaVern's passing. He was a very nice man. My best to all the family. Joyce Jacobs"
"Our love, peace and comfort to all of you as you mourn the loss of your husband, your Dad, your Grandfather. We share your loss of Uncle LaVern and we will always remember him "