LAVETA IRENE (RANDALL) WHITTAKER
Marriages
J. GORDON WHITTAKER - October 14, 1928
Burial Details
Obituaries
Eagle Valley Enterprise page 14 - March 16, 2000
LaVeta Irene Whittaker
1910-2000
LaVeta Whittaker of Eagle passed away on March 6, following a lengthy illness and a stay at Larchwood Inn in Grand Junction.
LaVeta was born Feb. 8, 1910 to William J. and Mattie Yost Randall in a dirt roofed log cabin on the old "White Ranch" about a mile south of Eagle on Brush Creek. She spent her childhood and young adulthood on the ranch and in Eagle with her two brothers and one sister.
Since she and Rolland and Mick spent all their lives in or near Eagle, they always had many stories to tell about Eagle, the old buildings and the old timers who had lived there.
LaVeta graduated from Eagle High School May 24, 1928.
She was married to J. Gordon Whittaker, a local rancher, on Oct. 14, 1928 in Eagle. They lived on the original Whittaker Ranch on Brush [Bruce] Creek until moving on down Brush Creek in 1937. They bought the ranch that is presently the Moesher [Mosher] Ranch to be near the school for their two sons and daughters, Bill, Jack, Mary Ann and Jo Ann. Jerry was born in 1942, adding another son to the family. They lived on that ranch until 1947 when they sold it and moved back up to the "homestead on Brush [Bruce] Creek. They were involved for many years in farming and raising cattle and sheep.
LaVeta was always involved in the community. She and Ruby Robidoux started the first hot lunch program for students in the Gypsum schools, cooking meals on an old wood stove.
LaVeta was an active member and past president of the Modern Homemakers Home Demonstration Club on Brush Creek. She also worked very hard in getting Blue Cross - Blue Shield group insurance for the Brush Creek Community. LaVeta was a member of Chapter #86, Order of the Eastern Star. She was a past Worthy Matron of the Eagle Chapter and was a Colorado State Chapter Grand Page. She was a member of the Eagle chapter for over 60 years.
Because of their ranching operation, she and Gordon moved each winter to where their sheep could winter pasture. Several of those years she spent in Fruita. LaVeta was a member of the Fruita United Methodist CHurch and an Honoary member of Carnation Chapter #70, Order of the Eastern Star. LaVeta enjoyed her years in the Fruita community and made many friends there.
LaVeta always loved and enjoyed children. She was a foster grandparent and helped in the reading program at Eagle Elementary School during her retirement years. When her five children were growing up she was "Mom" to many teenage boys and girls. LaVeta was Mother Advisor of Rainbow for Girls in both Eagle and Fruita devoting much love to her teenagers.
May there always be a rainbow to guide her on her way to peace, happiness and contentment with her husband of over 52 years, Gordon Whittaker who passed away Jan. 25, 1981. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mattie and Will Randall, her brother Mick Randall and one grandson, Steven Whittaker.
She is survived by her five children, WIlliam V. Whittaker (Fran) of Green Valley, AZ., Jack G. Whittaker (Rody) of Aurora, CO., Mary Ann Carter (Joe), Jo Ann Potter (Dewaine), and Jerry E. Whittaker (Candy) all of Grand Junction. She is also survived by one brother, Rolland Randall of Eagle; one sister, Virginia Cooper of Glenwood Springs, and two sisters-in-law, Agnes Randall of Laramie, Wyo. and Eileen Randall of Eagle. LaVeta also leaves behind 14 grandchildren, twenty two great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends.
Memorial services were held this past Saturday, March 11 at the Eagle Masonic Temple. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Arthritis Foundation, Rocky Mountain Chapter, 2280 S. Albion St. Denver, CO. 80222-4906.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 6B - March 9, 2000
