LaVern Harriet DeLong Kohl, 95, of Arlee, MT, died on May 21, 2012, at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena following a deep brain stroke. LaVern was born to Charlie and Kate Titus DeLong on August 29, 1916, in Lake City, Iowa, where she grew up on the family farm. After graduating from high school at the age of 15, she traveled for the county extension—specializing in Swedish Tea Ring demonstration—until her parents felt that she was old enough to leave home for college. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1938, obtained an M.A. in library science from Drexel Institute of Technology in Philadelphia, and worked as a librarian in Utica, New York, and Lincoln, Nebraska.
While attending Drake, LaVern met Rev. D. Franklin Kohl who would become her dearest companion for almost seventy-five years. They married on August 7, 1940, in Lake City, Iowa, beginning their married life and partnership in Christian ministry. They served churches in Grand Island, Nebraska, and Maryville, Missouri, before answering the call of the mountains and removing permanently to Montana, settling in Great Falls in 1955.
At Central Christian Church in Great Falls, and later in Helena, LaVern was active in church work, especially Church Women United. She was a life-long peace activist, offering draft counseling to countless young people during the Viet Nam War; was a tireless champion for women’s rights; was passionate about prison reform; and served as a frontline advocate for social justice. Professionally, LaVern worked as a Reference Librarian at the Great Falls Public Library and as Head of Reference at the Montana State Library in Helena.
Following her retirement from the library field, LaVern—always an intrepid mountain woman—moved to the Jocko Canyon east of Arlee where she lived, first in a tent and then a trailer, before eventually building a house. Franklin retired and joined her in 1981, and thereafter the couple spent the next twenty-five years as members of the American Tree Farm Association, managing their Two Rivers Tree Farm in the Jocko . They were also ardent supporters of the Society of Friends (Quaker) communities in Missoula and St. Ignatius. Growing a garden, raising llamas and dogs, working in the woods, hiking in the summer, and cross-country skiing in the winter brought pleasure and satisfaction to LaVern during her “retirement” years. In 2005, LaVern and Franklin joined the Waterford community in Helena, where they enjoyed the kind and devoted staff, and long walks in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Throughout their marriage, LaVern and Franklin traveled extensively, exploring the United States, circumnavigating the world on an eight-month trek, and visiting Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia. Still, they always returned to their beloved Rocky Mountains, where they took family and friends on frequent camping trips in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Glacier National Park.
LaVern was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister Dorothy, brother Don, and grandson Benjamin Kohl. She is survived by sons David of Cincinnati, OH, and Stephen and wife Katie of Sweet Home, OR; daughters Ruth Solie of Detroit Lakes, MN, and Rebecca Kohl and husband Kirby Lambert of Helena, MT; grandchildren David W. Kohl (JoAnn) of Portland, OR; Nathaniel Kohl (Becky) of Westport, CT; Mary Solie (Jiancarlo) of Denver; Paul Solie (Jessica) of Minneapolis, MN; and Jane Solie of Missoula, MT; great-granddaughters Claire and Sophia Solie of Minneapolis; brothers Dave (Phyllis) DeLong and Lawrence (Shirley) DeLong, numerous nieces and nephews; special neighbors the Hank and Carol Adams family of Arlee; and Helena friend, Jo Lace.
Cremation has taken place. A private memorial service is planned for later this summer. The family requests that memorials be sent to the American Friends Service Committee, 1501 Cherry St, Philadelphia, PA 19102-1401, http://afsc.org/ or the Hospice of your choice. To offer condolences or share a memory of LaVern, please visit: www.retzfuneralhome.com.
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Suzanne Sherman Aboulfadl says
LaVern and Franklin were part of my life during the years of their involvement with Missoula Friends Meeting, and their participation added so much. I remember attending Quaker weekend gatherings at their lovely home in the Jocko. I can also remember getting lost on the way to their place one winter. My car got high centered in the snow, and Joan Christopherson (then at least 70–which I have almost reached now) had to get out and push us free. We missed that one, but I did get in on others. One year Jeanine Walker and I and a couple of other people started a mid-week early morning worship. To our surprise, one dark morning, LaVern and Franklin drove down from the Jocko to sit with us and give us moral support! I feel fortunate to have known them.
carol werner says
Although small in stature, LaVern was a giant of a woman who spoke truth to power, lived a life of chosen simplicity and was committed to peace, justice and non-violence. In short, she was an inspirational and amazing woman.
Along with her husband, Franklin, LaVern’s life was her witness and though occasionally hard was also very beautiful. She has long been a guiding light that will continue to provide strength and courage to my own journey. I miss her. Carol Werner
Cami Renfrow and Trent Hickman says
What a beautiful and inspiring life! Becky, your parents’ deliberately-chosen lives are legend in our household. We’re grateful for having met LaVern. Love and best wishes to all of you.
Love,
Trent Hickman and Cami Renfrow (Dave’s daughter)
David and Donna Marks says
We enjoyed seeing LaVern and Franklin on their many walks and skiing adventures in the Jocko. They were great neighbors and always had interesting thoughts and ideas. We will cherish our memories of them and wish to send our sympathy to their family.
Lory Morrow says
After reading LaVern’s obituary, I see that she was an even more gifted and accomplished person than I had realized. I always enjoyed seeing her at community activities with Becca and Kirby because she was interested in everything and enthusiastic. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends and all the people that were lucky enough to know her.
Joyce Henning says
Dear Becca, Ruthie, Stephen, David, and families,
I was sad to hear of Aunt LaVern’s death. She was and remains such a spirit in our family. She had these crazy ideas, like giving books for Christmas. It seemed like most of the interesting books on our shelves in the early days back in Breda were gifts from your family. I also remember how exciting it was to come home in the summer and see your volkswagon bus parked in front of our house in Breda, on your way to or from travels abroad. The idea of vacationing in Europe was exotic enough, but taking the kids along as well—actually, I’m still amazed. I remember Aunt LaVern visiting me and Nancy when we both lived in San Francisco, maybe around 1971. She gave us a check/donation to the Herstory Center(remember Laura X?) in Berkeley and asked if we could deliver it in person for her, as she wouldn’t have time to do it herself. A very clever and generous way of encouraging us to get out and involved in the radical women’s movement of the 60’s and 70’s. I loved her wonderful family newsletters. I especially remember how much my mother Dorothy treasured the visits and letters that kept her connected to her sister and family, and how special LaVern was to her.
May God’s blessing and peace be with all of you as you celebrate the amazing life of your mother (grandmother and great-grandmother).
Love,
Joyce
Charles Wentworth says
David,
Sorry to read about your Mom.She and your Dad were quite the people. Have been hoping I would have a way to contact you after our 50th GFHS reunion. Drop a line if you can.
Chuck Wentworth
Vivian Brooke says
Dear Becca, I was saddened to learn of your mother’s passing. She was a dynamic woman and one who held very strong convictions. I know you will miss her presence.
Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Vivian
carolyn smith cooper says
Hello, Becky, I was sorry to read about your mother in the online Tribune. What an awesome life she was blessed to live! My dad is still living in Great Falls,age 92.’
I remember some fun times with you at GFHS. We’ll keep your family in our prayers. Carolyn Smith Cooper
GFHS ’69