LaVerne Elizabeth Larrabee

Racine – LaVerne E. (nee: Westrich) Larrabee, 84, passed away at Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints Medical Center on Monday, January 4, 2010 following a three-year battle with Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia, a rare form of blood cancer. A lifetime resident, LaVerne was born in Racine on January 7, 1925 to the late Anthony and Mary (nee: Beumer) Westrich. She attended Holy Name School and graduated from Washington Park High School in 1942. On July 19, 1947 in Holy Name Catholic Church, she was united in marriage with the love of her life, Robert D. Larrabee Sr., who preceded her in death on January 26, 1985. LaVerne was a lifetime member of St. Richard Catholic Church, formerly known as Holy Name, where her parents were charter members. She was also a proud member of the Christian Mothers and Altar Society. Among her interests, she enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, baking, cooking, fishing with her beloved husband, and solving word search puzzles. First and foremost, LaVerne was an amazing mother and grandmother, who loved nothing more than being in the surroundings of her entire family. Surviving are her 8 children, Cynthia (Joseph III) Arvai, Catherine Larrabee, David (Barbara) Larrabee, all of Racine; Connie (Dave) Van Veghel of Plover, WI; Carol (Ryan) Tessmer of Greenfield, WI; Robert (fiancé, Tammy Graceffa) Larrabee, Jr. of Racine; Camille (Jeff) Klahn of Brooklyn, WI; and John (Laurie) Larrabee of New Richmond, WI; her 14 grandchildren, Joseph (Betsey) Arvai IV, Michael Goll, Craig (Patricia) Mandli, Brett Mandli, Ross Tessmer; Dan and April Larrabee; Joshua, Annika, James, Tatyana and Raissa Klahn; Callie and Lucas Larrabee; and her 2 great-grandsons, Joseph Arvai V and Garrett Mandli. La Verne is also survived by her sister, Mary Selbach; sister-in-law, Helen Westrich; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 10:00 am in St. Richard of Chichester Catholic Church, 1503 Grand Ave., with Rev. Ronald J. Gramza officiating. In accordance with LaVerne’s wishes, private interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Visitation will be in the church on Saturday from 9-10 am. In memory of LaVerne, memorials to St. Richard Catholic Church has been suggested. A special note of thanks to Dr. Young Choi, Dr. Laura Ulmer, and the entire staff of Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints for the compassionate care and support that was so warmly extended to our Mother in her time of need. May God bless all of you!