Mildred Lavon Eltzholtz
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Mildred Lavon Eltzholtz passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her children, on July 12, 2024. Graveside services will be held July 24, 2024 at 11:00 am at the Lee’s Summit Historical Cemetery.
A resident of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Lavon is survived by her children, sons Bill and Bob, and daughter Lori, as well as two grandsons Nathan (wife Allison) and Mitchell and three great granddaughters Emerson, Eleanor and Marlee.
Lavon was born on a farm near Girard, Kansas on July 26, 1936 to Darius and Grace (McNett) Harmon.
She graduated from high school, where she loved playing the French horn, in 1954. She attained education credentials and became a teacher in Chanute, Kansas.
While in Chanute, Lavon met her future husband, William Arthur Eltzholtz. The couple married on June 8, 1958. Their first child, Arthur William Eltzholtz (Bill), was born a year later. The family moved to Sedalia, Missouri where they opened a camera shop. Lavon and Bill had two more children, Bob in 1961, and Lori in 1964.
Lavon was as a stay-at-home mother, but also took on jobs such as working at the customer service desk at a grocery store where she once was instrumental in stopping a fraud attempt. She later took on a full-time job with the Federal government, giving the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational and Aptitude Battery) exams at area high schools. She also gave Civil Service exams. She received the Military Entrance Processing Command Certification of Appreciation on August 30, 1983 and the Certificate of Special Act or Service Award on January 30, 1986. Lavon retired when her family moved to Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
Lavon enjoyed living in Lee’s Summit. She filled her time with gardening, cooking, and shopping. She loved going to the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Powell Gardens, and the Symphony. A highlight of her cultural experiences was attending two of Wagner’s Ring Cycles in Chicago.
Later in life, Lavon displayed her artistic talents by drawing and coloring, and she loved adventures with her family as they visited every county in the State of Missouri.
She treasured life with her family, being the foundation and glue that kept the family grounded, and raised three children who are a credit to her bravery, dedication, and zest for life. She did this all with a twinkle in her eye and love in her heart.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association at:
https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=58566&mfc_pref=T&58566.donation=form1
My deepest condolences to Bill and his family.
May God bless you with peace and strength ❤️
Sending you and your family my deepest condolences in your time of sorrow. Praying that God will give the peace that passes all understanding. ❤️
Bill, I’m so sorry for your loss.
God bless you and your family.
Bill – so sorry your loss. Becky and I are praying for you and your family.
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Sending prayers and hugs during this very difficult time
On Thursday, to celebrate our Mom’s birthday, we visited the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art to spread some ashes and eat at the Roselle Court in her honor.
Much love to her who gave much love to us.
Dearest Momma,
I miss you so much. You were my Mom, buddy, pal. We shared a lifetime of wonderful memories and moments. You are at the center of so much of your children’s lives. You were the constant.
We will hold the love you gave us for the rest of our lives. We will remember you, and keep you with us in memories that will sustain us as we grieve your loss.
Later in life I was your caregiver, you who gave me life. It was my great honor. I miss you so much.
I will always love you Momma, always.
Your daughter Lori
For our loving Mother’s memory, I scattered some of her ashes in the landscaped median on Wacker Drive in front of the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Under some orange flowers, surrounded by plants, and backgrounded by a tree, she rests in front of some of our wonderful experiences sharing Wagner’s Ring Cycle with family and friends. Such grand times in the past, we were so lucky to have her there to share them. Her love and vivacious spirit made them so much the better.
Condolences to you and your family.