Lavera A. (Gutrey) LaCosse, 84, of 216 N. Ash St., Gwinn, passed away on Dec. 22, 2008 under the loving care of the staff at Warner Creek Residential Care and Lake Superior Hospice.

She was born June 12, 1924 in Nauvoo, Ala. in the home of grandparents, to Susan Johnson and Fred Gutrey. Lavera moved to Michigan with her mother when she was six years old. She married Philip LaCosse on June 14, 1939 and together raised a family of ten children.

A former resident of Rock, Lavera lived with her daughter Sharon and son in law Wolfgang Andel of Gwinn for 13 years after her husband passed away in 1992.

Lavera was known for her cooking, canning and bread baking.

A friend to many and loved by many more, Lavera is survived by five sons; Philip (Donna) of Rose City, Richard (Patsy) of Beaverton, John (Carol) of St. Jacques, Alan of Rock, and Dennis (Bobbie) of Rock. Three daughters; Laurel (Don) Brown of Manistique, Sharon (Wolfgang) Andel of Gwinn, and Wanda (Gene) DeBassige of Rock. Also her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Preceded in death by her husband Philip, two sons Melvin (2009) Brian (1996), a baby daughter Gail Marie and a granddaughter Joanna Beth.

Services for Lavera will be graveside on Friday June 12, 2009 at 2:00 PM at the Rock Cemetery in Rock with Rev. John Small officiating. The Skradski-Boyce Family Funeral Home is serving the family.