Vava Joy Heller, 06 Nov 1931- 25 Aug 2018

HELLER, SOLBRIG, PORT, FOX, PARNIN, DENISON, BROWN, LAZEAR, EBERHARDT, KING, HINTON, WALKER, DANIELS, KINZENBAW

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 9/5/2018 at 15:24:36

Vava Joy Heller

Marengo - Vava Joy Heller, 87 passed away on Saturday, August, 25th, 2018. Funeral services: 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at the First Presbyterian Church, Marengo, with Pastor Anni Thorn officiating. Burial will be in the Kostza Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:00-1:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 5, 2018, at the church. A memorial fund has been established. Kloster Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Vava is survived by her sister Anita (Solbrig) Fox Parnin, daughters, Jaleen (Heller) Denison, and Keena (Heller) Brown and her husband, Randy Brown, and son, Dion Heller and his wife, Michele Heller; grandchildren, Kendra (Brown) Lazear and her husband, Blake Lazear, and great-granddaughter, Jayden Lazear, Athea (Eberhardt) King and her husband, David King, Karissa (Brown) Hinton and her husband David Hinton, Emma (Walker) Daniels and her husband, Jacob Daniels, and Aubrey Brown and his wife Kendall Brown.

She was preceded in death in by her husband, George Heller of 66 years, son in infancy, Keith Heller, parents Adolf and Ruby (Port) Solbrig, siblings Atellia (Solbrig) Kinzenbaw, and Darold (Bud) Solbrig.

Vava (Solbrig) Heller was born and raised in Marengo, IA, the second daughter of the town dentist, Dr. Adolf I. Solbrig. She graduated from Iowa Valley High School in 1949 and earned a teaching certificate from The Teacher's College, now UNI. Vava taught elementary school and then assisted special education in Conroy, IA. She married her high school sweetheart, George Heller and they settled in Marengo. Vava and George loved travelling the United States and visiting family out west. Vava was very involved in her community in education, taking classes, Bible studies, and involvement with Presbyterian Church in Marengo. She taught Sunday school, was a Girl Scout Leader, and volunteered for Meals on Wheels. She was active in water aerobics into her 80's. She used her exceptional baking and sewing skills to make items and goodies to donate to charities and church fundraisers.

Vava was always there with a thoughtful gesture and listening ear to her children, grandchildren and extended family. Her life motto was "When you are having a hard time or a bad day, go do something nice for someone." Her grace, dignity, and strength will be missed greatly by her loved ones.

Online condolences may be left at www.klosterfuneralhome.com.

Kloster Funeral Home
The Gazette, 02 Sept 2018 7c [abbreviated]