MARYVILLE, Mo. – Lavon Rae Hollingsworth, 89, died Sunday, December 22, 2013, at her home in Maryville. Lavon was a retired nurse and co-owner of Hollingsworth Peonies Nursery.
Lavon was born May 31, 1924, in Atchison, Kan., to Albert John and Mari Willa (Mayfield) Wohlgemuth.
A 1942 graduate of Atchison High School, and also a graduate of the Cushing Nursing School, Leavenworth, Kan., in 1945.
She first married Robert Parker Tretheway, October 16, 1945. After Robert’s death she married Don Hollingsworth on July 30, 1993, in Atchison.
Lavon was a member of the Camp Creek United Methodist Church, Cummings, Kan., American Peony Society, and the Pony Express Iris Society and Past President of Maryville Garden Club.
Lavon’s nursing career mirrored Robert’s TWA career, taking her to Pasadena, Calif., and St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. A move to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia found Lavon caring for other members of the American community. Returning to Kansas City, she worked at the TWA Overhaul Base, Worlds of Fun, and Swope Park Nursing Home.
Lavon became a true peony enthusiast working alongside Don in developing a thriving commercial peony nursery. During the past 20 years she immensely enjoyed attending the annual APS conventions, kindling dear friendships and promoting Hollingsworth originations and propagations.
Preceding in death were her parents; her first husband Robert Tretheway, February 14, 1981; infant son, Dean George Tretheway; and two brothers, Albert John Wohlgemuth and Melvin Wohlgemuth.
Survivors include: her husband, Don Hollingsworth of their home; Robert Parker (Rosie) Tretheway II, Colorado Springs, Colo., Kent Ray (Kathryn “Kop”) Tretheway, Derby, Kan.; Dana Ross (Glenny) Tretheway, Tulsa, Okla.; step-son, Larry W. (Eileen) Loos, Maricopa, Ariz.; step-daughters, Sandra M. Loos, Kansas City, Mo, and LaDonna S. (Vincent) Benne, Platte City, Mo.; seven grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and seven step-great grandchildren.
Visitation is 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, December 27, 2013, at the Price Funeral Home, Maryville.
A visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Chapel, Atchison, with the funeral service following at Becker Dyer Stanton, 11 a.m., Saturday, December 28, 2013, and burial in Camp Creek UMC Cemetery, Atchison, following the service.
Memorials may be made to the Camp Creek United Methodist Church, 5667 Meade, Cummings, KS 66016 or SSM Hospice and Homecare Foundation, 2016 South Main Street, Maryville, MO 64468 in Lavon’s name.
Arrangements: Price Funeral Home www.pricefuneralhomemaryville.com