Lavina Mills Strain was born in Onega, Kansas, on February 14, 1919. She loved her Valentine’s Day birthday! Her parents, Otillia and Lee Valburg moved to Vancouver during the Dust Storm of 1933. She graduated from Vancouver High School. Lavina met and married A.S. “Pin” Mills and they raised two daughters, Jan and Joanie. After “Pin” passed away she married F. Warren Strain and they lived in Seattle for 27 years until returning to Vancouver in 2005.
Lavina was a long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church and a devoted Christian who walked with the Lord her entire life and shined the Light of Jesus to everyone.
Lavina had a sense of adventure. She traveled the world, zip lined at age 95 and took a helicopter ride along the Oregon Coast last September. She was proud to be the pilot’s oldest passenger. She was always ready to have fun!
Lavina is survived by her children Jan Geis (Neil), Joanie Sheron (Rich), Sylvia Sizer, and Philip Strain (Carolyn). She had seven grandchildren; Jason Geis (Jessica), Tina Diehl (Mike), Chuck Sheron (Angie), Chad Sheron (Kim), Adam Sheron (Bree), Alyssa Rodriguez (Frank) and Shawna Davis (Mike). She also had 15 great grandchildren and they all called her “Gaga”.
A special thanks to Highgate Senior Living. Lavina enjoyed all the offered activities, field trips, games, special events and parties. The staff was amazing…she always referred to them as “my Angels”.
Lavina lived life with grace, gusto and thanksgiving. Her goal was to reach the age of 100, and she almost made it!
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the charity of choice or Trinity Lutheran Church.
Please join us for Lavina’s Celebration of Life on Monday, May 21, 2018, at 3:00pm, Trinity Lutheran Church, 309 W. 39th Street, Vancouver, WA.
