LaVern M. Syslack

   Mrs. LaVern M. Syslack (nee: Quinn) (Held), 92, passed away at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Milwaukee on Thursday, July 28, 2011.

  She was born in Racine on April 22, 1919, the daughter of Harry and Mary (nee: Jahnke) Quinn, Sr.  LaVern graduated from Horlick High School. 

   On April 11, 1942, she married Francis Held in Louisiana.  He preceded her in death on December 24, 1968.  She married Stanley Syslack on August 16, 1986.  Stanley survives LaVern.

   LaVern worked for various companies throughout her life including, Cook-Gere and Zayre.  However, she retired as a clerical worker with the Racine Police Department.  She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and the “Gimpers” (a ladies social group dating back to the late 1930’s).  As a young woman, Lavern enjoyed dancing, especially at the YWCA.  Her other interests were sewing, shopping, reading mysteries and watching television.

  In addition to her husband, Stanley, her survivors include her daughter, Leah Held; her brother, Harry Quinn, Jr. all of Racine; her step-children, Jeff (Mary) Syslack of Brookfield, WI, Sandy (John) Francis of Las Vegas, NV, Joan (Roland) Niebuhr of La Crosse, WI, Robert (Connie) Syslack of Kenosha; her grandchildren, Elizabeth (Brian) Randleman of Franklin, WI, Peter (Victoria) Syslack of Sussex, WI, Kate and Theodore Syslack of Kenosha; 5 great grandchildren and her niece, Beverly Annis of Racine.  In addition to her parents and first husband, Francis Held, LaVern was preceded in death by her sister-in-law, Dorothy Quinn.

   Family and friends are invited to meet at Zion Lutheran Church (3805 Kinzie Ave.) on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. for the celebration of LaVern’s life and funeral service with Rev. Roger Black officiating.  There will be a visitation in the church on Tuesday from 10-11 a.m.  Her entombment will follow at Calvary Cemetery Garden Crypts.  In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to Zion Lutheran Church.