Lavanda Mae Joergens (87) of Dieterich

Lavanda Mae Joergens, 87, of Dieterich, IL, went to live with Jesus on Sunday, August 12, 2018 at 7:40 am at her home in rural Dieterich. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at St. John's Lutheran Church on the Effingham-Clay County Line with Rev. Stephen Rutherford and Rev. Gary Fortkamp officiating. Burial will be in St. Matthew’s Lutheran Cemetery between Eberle and Winterrowd. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at the church and from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are in the care of Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lutheran Hour, St. Matthew’s Cemetery, and St. John's Lutheran Church, Louisville. Online condolences may be left by clicking here.

Lavanda was born in rural Dieterich, IL, on May 19, 1931. She was the daughter of Earl and Catherine (Budde) Bannick. She was baptized by Rev. W. Redeker on June 7, 1931 and confirmed on April 29, 1945. She married Arthur Joergens on January 23, 1949 at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Lucas Township.

Lavanda was a member of St. Matthew's Church for 39 years. She joined St. John's Lutheran Church of rural Louisville, IL, where she was a member for 48 years. Lavanda was a Sunday School Teacher for 70 years, a Ladies Aid member for 48 years, and involved with making quilts to donate for 26 years. For 26 years, she volunteered with Meals on Wheels and was involved in the E.A.S.T.E.R. class for over 10 years. She was also active with Home Extension. Lavanda formed the Sunshine Pals 4-H Club, which she led for 61 years and was honored to be the first member of the 4-H Hall of Fame for Effingham County. In 2007, she was named to the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame. In 2015, Lavanda was awarded Effingham County Volunteer of the Year.

Lavanda is survived by her loving daughters, Judy Hopper of Montrose, Susan (Mike) Waldhoff of Avon, IN, and Karen (Don) Grupe of Watson; sons, Stanley (Olivia) Joergens of Dieterich and Stuart (Jackie) Joergens of Pearland, TX. Her loving family also included grandchildren, the late Nick Hopper (Natie) Hopper, Chris Hopper, Stasha Waldhoff, Tiffany (Justin) Wood, Jared (Anna) Waldhoff, Heidi (Ryan) Enlow, Dana Grupe (special friend, Dan Haarmann), Jordan (Arielle) Grupe, Savannah (Matt) Rauch, Hannah (Tony) Koester, Breannah (Jacob) Westjohn, Dusty (Andrea) Joergens, Chloe Hanna, Samantha (Micah) Wright and Tara Joergens. Lavanda was blessed with several great grandchildren, Andrew, Clara, Alexa, Haylee, Lela, Amelia, Avery, Riley, Ethan, the late Callie Enlow, Charlotte, and Beau. Lavanda is survived also by her brother, Willard Bannick; sisters, Laverda Willenborg, Bonnie Mellendorf, and Arnetia (Voris) Osborn.

Lavanda was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur; her parents, Earl and Catherine Bannick; brother, Gaylord; grandson, Nick Hopper; great granddaughter, Callie Enlow; father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Meta (Niehoff) Joergens; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Harlan Mellendorf, Edward Willenborg, Herman Joergens, Harold (Lavina) Joergens, Viola Bannick, and Lorretta Bannick.