Laurena A. Gavitt

Laurena "Rene" A. Gavitt, 96, Wausau, died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Monday, December 29, 2014. She was born February 16, 1918 in Wausau, daughter of the late Andrew and Albertina (Aschenbrenner) Karcher, and grew up on the family farm in the town of Easton. On February 29, 1936, she married Earl E. Gavitt at Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau. He preceded her in death on December 22, 2001. Laurena was a homemaker and enjoyed raising her family over the years. Among her favorite pastimes, she loved to bake and was famous for her buttermilk pancakes. She also enjoyed fishing, gardening, traveling, playing cards, oil painting and going out to eat. Following Earl's retirement, they enjoyed spending their winter months in Texas and Florida. Laurena was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church most of her life. For many years she supported a missionary family in South America through her Bible Study Group. Survivors include, two children, Janice (Elroy) Fenhaus and Larry (Carol) Gavitt, both of Wausau; seven grandchildren, Lynn (Craig) Schulz, Alan Fenhaus, Michelle (Earl) Hoppe, James (Sheri) Krueger, Bruce (Rose) Krueger, Kim (Randy) Ricci and Cory (Carrie) Gavitt; 20 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandsons; and many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and husband, Earl, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Dawn Krueger; two sisters, Margaret Drews and Gertrude Mortenson; and two brothers, Clarence Karcher and Elmer Radandt. Funeral services will be at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 1, 2015 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau. Rev. Zach Holdorf will officiate. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Friends may call on Thursday from 3:00 p.m. until time of services at the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com