Lavina Lichtenberg

Lavina Lichtenberg age 99 of George, Iowa died Sunday, July 20, 2025, at the Good Samaritan Society in George, IA.

Visitation with the family present will be held Monday, July 28, 2025, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of George.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in George, IA with Rev. Ken Eberline, celebrating. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Lawn Cemetery at George, IA.

Lavina (Ackerman) Lichtenberg was born August 27, 1925, the third of Peter and Anna (Symens) Ackerman nine children. She grew up on the family farm one mile west of George and attended George Public School. She graduated from high school in 1942 and then went to UNI in Cedar Falls to receive a rural teaching certificate so she could realize her dream of becoming a teacher. She continued her education at Westmar College in LeMars and in Orange City at Northwestern College. Lavina was united in marriage to LeRoy “Bud” Lichtenberg on November 16, 1945. To this union was born one son, Terrance “Terry” Lee. She taught rural schools for eight years and then taught in the George Public Elementary School for 15 years. She taught third grade and first grade from 1956 until 1969. Bud and her owned and operated the L & L cafe for 10 years, and Lavina also served as a substitute rural mail carrier for 7 years. In 1978, Bud and Lavina along with Terry and Cheryle purchased the Grotewold Hardware Store. Bud passed away on August 19,1986. She continued to be active at the hardware store until she retired at the age of eighty. In 1991, Lavina married Ted Harms. They enjoyed traveling and camping, Ted died on August 5, 2000. Lavina grew up attending Zoar Presbyterian Church and as an adult became an active member of Ebenezer Presbyterian Church. She taught Sunday School, was a past president of the P.W., librarian and served on the memorial committee. She also was an active member of the American Legion Auxilliary, enjoyed golfing, bowling, knitting, crocheting, playing bridge and pinocle. But her most enjoyable moments were when she would take care of her grandson, Dan. She felt very privileged to have him as part of her life and was extremely proud of him and loved him dearly. On August 6, 2021, Lavina became a resident of the George Good Samaritan Society where she passed away this past Sunday, July 20, 2025, at the age of ninety-nine.

She is survived by her son, Terry and Cheryle Lichtenberg of Geroge, IA; one grandson, Dan Lichtenberg and partner Nikki Portillo of Ames, IA; sister, Ruthann (Gary) Haan, of George; IA; brothers, Larry (Beverly) Ackerman of Arvada, CO and David (Mitzi) Ackerman of Northfield, MN.

Lavina was preceded in death by her husbands, LeRoy “Bud” Lichtenberg and Ted Harms; her siblings, Edwin Ackerman, Marie Harms, Phyllis Krull, Eleanor Hartley, and Merle Ackerman.