Obituary of Laveta Younger

At 6:15 AM Friday the 14th of October, 2016 Jesus said "It's time Laveta, come with me". With her family at her side she went to be with Jesus. Laveta Cantrell Younger was born March 5, 1933, to Floyd and Cora Cantrell of Hood River, OR. She was raised on the family apple orchard. She attended Pine Grove Elementary School and graduated from Hood River High School in 1951. The following year she enrolled at Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, ID. She earned her B.A. degree in Elementary Education. She served as SNEA Vice-President for two years and graduated from Northwest Nazarene in 1959 with honors. While attending NNC she married Max Irwin. They had two wonderful daughters, Shellee Renee and Valerie Ann. This union was later dissolved. Her teaching career began at Eastside Elementary School. She then moved to Boise where she served as a Certified Registrar at East Junior High School from 1963-to 1968. Her desire to be more involved with students motivated her to enroll in the Guidance and Counseling program at the College of Idaho where she graduated from that training with a M.Ed. in 1969. She continued her education and completed 30 additional hours of post graduate work while maintaining a counseling position at North Junior High School in Boise from 1969-1973. In November of 1973, she married Phillip Younger and moved to Twin Falls, ID. Laveta was hired by the Twin Falls District 411 and served as a counselor at O'Leary Junior High for seven years before moving to Twin Falls high school in 1981. She continued there until her retirement in 1995. Her last five years included duties as the District Counselor Coordinator. She loved working with students and parents. For six years she was a District Parenting Class facilitator. This gave her a greater opportunity to work more directly with the parents of students who wanted to participate. She was an active participant in her professional organizations and held numerous offices (i.e.), Idaho Counseling and Development Association; Idaho Personnel and Guidance Association; State President; Magic Valley Guidance Association, President, Idaho School Counselors Association, Idaho Society of Individual Psychology, Secretary, Board Member; Mental Health Association, Altrusa Club, Toastmistress Club of Magic Valley; Southern Idaho Learning Advisory Board. Post retirement she served as a board member on the Twin Falls Housing Authority. Recognition was paid to her by her colleagues as well as the civic community. She was named Idaho School Counselor of the year two times, 1977-78 and 1994-95. She received a Certificate of Recognition from the State of Idaho for "Outstanding Achievement of Dedicated Services as a Public Employee of the State of Idaho." She was awarded the Significant ISIP Award in 1989 and the Rotary Community Service award the same year. The Twin Falls American Legion Post #7 recognized her contributions to local youth programs and presented her with the Clara Hosbrock Educational Foundation Award. Laveta has been a contributor to her church most of her life starting with the church pianist in Hood River. She taught Sunday School classes from children through senior adults. She found working with the elderly not only enjoyable but rewarding. She played a vital role assisting Phil in the Bus Ministry and the Greeting ministry. She was always willing to serve. As a couple Phil and Laveta were fortunate to serve the Lord beyond the church walls. They participated in Work and Witness missions to Trinidad and the Sun Valley Indian Schools in Arizona. Additionally they served whenever called, for Lay Witness trips across the country from the west coast to the midwest sharing the good news. Both enjoyed traveling; Canada, cruises to Mexico and Alaska and mostly Hawaii. All Islands were visited multiple times but Maui seemed to be the settling place. Laveta flew to the island of Molokai to visit the Leper Colony. Once again showing her love of people. Travelling annually with a group of friends to the NCAA basketball tournaments was a special social highlight of our travels till we could no longer participate. Laveta was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Cora Cantrell, two brothers, Seeford Cantrell of Federal Way, WA, and Eldon Cantrell of Portland, OR. Laveta is survived by her husband Phillip Younger and their children, Shelle Vance of Coronado, CA. Valerie (Shane) Miller of Walla Walla, WA, Tracy (Cathy) Younger of Meridian, ID, her brother V. John ( Darlene)Cantrell of Portland, OR, sister-in-law Lois Cantrell of Federal Way, WA, grandchildren Jordon Vance, Palm Bay FL, Jason Vance of Santa Cruz, CA, Caleb Miller of Bend, OR, Cory Miller of Walla Walla, WA, and nieces and nephews. We want to recognize and thank Visions Hospice personnel who cared for her the last two week of her life, Marianne, Amanda who was present at her passing, Teresa, Melissa, Yvonne, Kara, Chaplain Paul and Joann Olbert who cared for her on Thursday afternoons. Celebration of Life services will be held at 1:00PM, Saturday, November 5, 2016 at the First Church of the Nazarene, 1231 Washington St. N., Twin Falls, Id, The family suggest memorials be given to the Cuban Mission Project 2017 c/o, Twin Falls Church of the Nazarene. Family and friends are encouraged to share their memories of Laveta at www.rosenaufuneralhome.com