La Vern was born on March 6, 1928 to Gustave & Lois Furstenau in San Francisco, CA. She was an identical twin and shared her birthday with her sister LaVeda. Raised in the city, she graduated from Mission High School and soon began working in the Medical Records Dept of St Francis Hospital. She was a devoted mother to her dear daughter Vivian when she met and married Roger on Oct 15, 1955 and then moved to Southern California. Around 1961, they relocated to San Jose and eventually to San Martin. She was one of the "pioneer commuters" driving daily up the old 101 to work in the Medical Records Dept at San Jose Hospital until her retirement in 1985. She and Roger decided to move to Paradise, CA after the both retired and then in 1997 they came back to Gilroy to be near their family and friends.
La Vern was a proud "Native San Franciscan". She loved going to plays and musicals, getting out to a weekly movie, and just visiting with friends and her family. She spent several years volunteering at the Kaiser Clinic in Gilroy, and was proud to have been an honored American Red Cross Blood Donor (she had donated over 30 pints). You could find her listening to her radio (KGO was her go-to station) enjoying her large collection of music, and had recently rediscovered how much she enjoyed reading a good biography or novel. She loved anything and everything chocolate and would often ask, "is there any other flavor?"
Having overcome many obstacles throughout her life, she always remained positive and upbeat with a beautiful smile on her face. She never complained, always found the good in people, and lived by the Golden Rule.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Gustave & Lois, her sister LaVeda, her daughter Vivian Marie, and her husband Roger. She is survived by her daughter Valerie Obata (Thomas), son Doug, and granddaughters Laisha and Salina Munoz.
A Celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, February 21st @ 2:00 PM at the Obata home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St Joseph's Family Center, Gilroy, Disabled Veteran's, or your favorite charity.