Lavina Mae Henschel

Lavina Mae Henschel, 86, passed away Sunday, May 3, 2020 at Bethany on University in Fargo, ND.

Lavina Sand was born to Henry and Rosalia (Schnabel) Sand on July 14, 1933 in Langdon, ND. She grew up in Langdon with two brothers, Harvey and Shirley, and one sister, Jane. While working at the Fairmont Ice Cream store she met her future husband, Elmer. They were united in marriage April 11, 1955 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Devils Lake where they made their home and raised six children.

Lavina spent much of her life as a homemaker and caring for her children. She was active in her children’s activities, Rebekahs, and square dancing. She enjoyed gardening, canning, playing pinochle, crocheting, having daily coffee with neighbors and working jigsaw puzzles.

After the children were grown Elmer and Lavina spent winters in Arizona. In 1994, they sold their home in Devils Lake and made Apache Junction, AZ their permanent residence. While there they enjoyed retirement playing shuffleboard and cards, and spending time with friends. Lavina was active in the quilters group in their community and was lovingly known as the ironing lady. In 2010 they moved to Edgewood Vista in Fargo to be closer to family.

Lavina was loved by all and will be dearly missed. Her cheerfulness was contagious. Her philosophy was "Smile and the whole world will smile with you." She would greet people coming to her door with “Hi Sunshine!” When asked how she was, she would respond with “fat and sassy”, a phrase she continued to use until the end. She enjoyed life and was always ready to hear a good joke. Laughing, including at herself, was important. She often said, “If you can’t laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at."

Lavina is survived by her sons, Duane (Janice) Henschel, Devils Lake, ND, Bradley (Denise) Henschel Fargo, ND, daughters Patti (Bryan) Smith, Horace, ND and Sandra Henschel, Fargo, ND. She is also survived by her sister Jane Jaffe, Davenport, IA, sister-in-law Eleanor Sand, Bismarck, ND, 11 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, sons Robert and Terry, brothers Harvey Sand and Shirley Sand, sister-in-law Phyllis Sand, and brother-in-law Larry Jaffe. Also preceded in death were brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws, Robert (LaVonne) Henschel, Herman C. (Ida) Henschel, Dolores (Richard) Nelson, and Roger Henschel.

A special thank you to Bethany on University and Hospice of the Red River Valley for caring for Lavina during her last months. Also thank you to Edgewood Vista for their care for the almost ten years she resided there.

A private family service will be held and streamed on Hanson-Runsvold’s website on Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 2:00 pm.