LaVenia Azzora Krattcer Jacobson

Dec. 31, 1920 — July 30, 2020

Life started for LaVenia Azzora Krattcer like many of the novels she loved to read. During a Montana blizzard, LaVenia’s mother, Azzora Pond Krattcer, was taken to the Bozeman hospital by her brothers. Neither of the men knew that their sister was about to have a child. They traveled by horse and buckboard from the family’s ranch. Much to their surprise their sister delivered baby LaVenia at the Bozeman Hospital.

Most of LaVenia’s younger years were spent living at the family ranch in the Gallatin Valley of Montana, where she enjoyed spending time with her many cousins. Her father, William Elijah Krattcer, a World War I veteran, bought and sold various businesses, which caused the family to move from Gallatin County to Yakima, Wash., and finally to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

When LaVenia was 16 and living in Coeur d’Alene, she caught the eye of Phillip William Stoffer. They were married in 1936. She and Phillip had four children: Clifford William, Sheryl Ann, Marjory Carol and Karen Candice. Unfortunately, both Sheryl and Marjory died in 1943, only 10 days apart. LaVenia’s husband, Phillip, died in 1947 in Ione, Wash. LaVenia returned to Coeur d’Alene with Clifford and Candice to be near family.

During World War II, LaVenia worked at the Kaiser Rolling Mill, in Spokane Valley, Wash., where she assisted with the handling of the aluminum for the new B29 Superfortress bombers. Later she worked in the Bunker Hill Smelter in Kellogg, Idaho. She also took college business classes.

LaVenia attended a dance at the Eagles Lodge in Coeur d’Alene, where she met Lewis James Jacobson. Louie and LaVenia were married Aug. 25, 1948. They were happily married for 55 years before Louie died on Nov. 20, 2003, in Coeur d’Alene. LaVenia and Louie merged their families and added another son, Lewis James, in 1949. Lewis had two sons from his previous marriage. The sons were Gerald, who died in 1966, and David, who died in 2010. The children Cliff, Gerald, David, Candi and Jim were raised as a family unit and considered each other to be siblings; not step or half siblings, just brothers and sister.

As the children got older, Louie continued to work as a logger and LaVenia had various jobs — teaching ceramics for the parks and recreation department, Woolworth’s, the U.S. Forest Service sorting tree seedlings, and finally at Buttrey Foods bakery. Prior to retirement, LaVenia served as Cub Scout leader for all the boys; Clifford going so far as an Eagle Scout.

Her hobbies were many including watercolor and oil painting, china painting, beading, embroidery, reading, genealogy, playing bridge, quilting and gardening. Her son, Jim, and daughter, Candi, both enjoy genealogy themselves. The family members are fortunate to have beautiful quilts, paintings and embroidery items created by LaVenia in their homes

After retirement, LaVenia joined Louie and they enjoyed playing golf and watched many Tiger Woods matches on television. The couple spent hours working on their garden. People would frequently stop by to ask if they could see the garden. Louie and LaVenia would proudly give tours of their beautiful yard. LaVenia was a member of the Coeur d’Alene Garden Club and enjoyed helping with the garden tours held every summer.

LaVenia enjoyed countless hours crafting a beautiful “Peacock Manor” dollhouse from scratch. Many visited the family’s home and enjoyed seeing the beautifully detailed doll house. Ten years ago, LaVenia gave the doll house to her grandson, Tyler, saying he was the only one who could finish it as she would have.

Several years ago, LaVenia was delighted to announce to family that she was the oldest living charter member of the National Society of Colonial Dames XVII Century for the state of Idaho. She had also been the president of the Idaho State Federation of China Painters. Never one to pass up an opportunity to play bridge, LaVenia taught Candi and Jim how to play bridge so they could fill in when one of the regular bridge players was unable to play.

LaVenia often spoke to her family of her desire to live to be 100. She wanted to be the longest living relative in her family. Unfortunately, she only lived to be 99 years and seven months of age. Her life was a full one with many interests and an impressive number of descendants including children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Eldest son Clifford and wife Lola Stoffer, of San Marcos, Calif.; their children are Beth Eckardt and husband, Bob; granddaughter, Myriah Jerragan of Yuba City, Calif.; Kim Jalajas and husband, Peter, and grandson, Pearce, of San Marcos; and Scott Stoffer of Encinitas, Calif..

Son, David Jacobson’s children are Sheri Kaven and husband, Daniel, of Portland, Ore.: great-granddaughter, Bella Morrilli; great-great-granddaughter, Nova Rose Finn of Las Vegas; Vincent Morrilli and Drake Kraven, of Portland; David and wife, Linda Diteman; grandchildren, Sam and Simone of Eagle, Idaho; granddaughter, Jacqulyn LaVenia and husband, Daniel Paneque, of Maple Valley Wash.; Michelle Jacobson has three children and resides in Colfax, Wash.

Daughter, Candice Applegate, of Boise, and her children are Tyler Bush of Boise; Marcus Williams and wife, Tina, of Aliso Viejo, Calif.; grandson, Jackson Horspool, of Salt Lake City, Utah; Brice Williams and wife, Mandy, of Sherman Oaks, Calif.

Son, Lewis James Jacobson and wife, Laura Chandler-Jacobson, of San Marcos. Calif., and their children are Allan Jacobson and partner, Rachel Teo; children, Jacob, Zach and Victoria Pope of Murietta, Calif.; Jamaica and husband, Stefan Nicholes, of Vista, Calif.; Meredith and husband, Graham Stinson, whose daughters are Fiona, Lucy and Hannah, of Seattle; Tom Cieszynski and wife, Laura Truxler, whose sons are Xavier, Zachary, Theodore and Isaiah, of Colfax, Calif.

Many thanks to the family of Gail and Patty Dahlman, Stacy Dahlman and family, Corey Dahlman and family, who have been long-time family friends and a huge support to LaVenia, Louie and the family over the years. They are appreciated enormously by the extended family.

The family also wishes to thank NorthStar Assisted Living, Dr. Ryan Gilles, and Schneidmiller Hospice House for the excellent care they gave to LaVenia during her last years and days. It was truly exceptional.

LaVenia was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church of Coeur d’Alene. Due to the restrictions of COVID-19, her service will be delayed until the spring of 2021. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her name to Schneidmiller Hospice House or Hospice of Northern Idaho.

Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit LaVenia’s online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.