Geraldine "Gerry" Lavia

Winnifred Geraldine (Madsen) Lavia, more affectionately known as Gerry, Mom, Grandma, and GG passed peacefully at Taylor House Hospice on Monday, September 19, 2022.

The daughter of Cecil and Winnifred Madsen, Gerry was born in Des Moines, Iowa on September 7, 1929. She attended North High School and took pride in having a job before she could barely see over the soda fountain counter. Gerry had an unmatched work ethic, whether she was making sodas, taking photos at Kresge’s, working at the election office where she earned the nickname “Sarge” for managing like a drill sergeant, and finally as the owner of Lavia’s Tax Service.

Gerry met the love of her life, Frank Lavia, while working at the photo booth at Kresge’s in Des Moines. Frank was leaving for the U.S. Navy and having a photo taken for his family. When asked if she would like a Navy-man to write to her, the answer was yes, which led to 65 years of marriage!

Frank and Gerry were the proud parents of Frank Jr., Steve, Carol (who passed at birth), and Cindy. Family was truly Gerry’s pride and joy. She never missed a sporting event, a birthday party, a day at the Iowa State Fair with her grandchildren or the opportunity to rock a new great-grandbaby. She was always involved and always present to her family.

Gifted in many ways, Gerry was an entrepreneur, an expert garage-sale-goer, and could crochet the most beautiful and warmest blankets. It is safe to say hundreds of blankets were made with her loving hands. Grandchildren, friends, NICU babies at Blank Children’s Hospital and even strangers have been wrapped in love and hand-made pieces by Gerry. When encouraged to sell them, Gerry would say she couldn’t put a dollar amount on her work or the joy it brought her to make them for others.

Gerry used to joke that her theme song was “I Did It My Way” by Frank Sinatra and truer words have never been spoken. Gerry had ways of doing things that weren’t always traditional, but were done with great love, stamina, and a whole lot of grit.

Gerry is preceded in death by her husband Frank Lavia, infant daughter Carol, grandson Michael Grant, and sisters Lynnette Seaman and Janice Eakins.

Left to cherish Gerry’s memory are her children Frank Lavia, Jr. (Joan Klar), Steve Lavia (Lynn), Cindy Grant (Dale); her grandchildren Nick Lavia, Vince Lavia, Angela McCarthy (Patrick), Christy Leonard (Dave), Stephanie Sinovic (Matt), Gabrielle Lavia, Earl Giron, and Benjamin Giron (Brynn) and her great-grandchildren Alaina, Elissa, Emma, Talan, Caitilin, Collin, Peter, Joseph, Aries, Demi, Isabel, Darcy, Ethan and Liam; and brother Richard Madsen.

We are so glad you did it your way, GG – we are blessed because of you!

Mass of Christian Burial for Gerry will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 23, 2022, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with visitation from 9:00 to 11:00 AM. Interment will be in Glendale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to AHeinz57 Pet Rescue and to Taylor House Hospice.