Gordon Lavender

Gordon LeRoy Lavender (85) of Marshalltown, Iowa, passed away in the care of Iowa River Hospice on October 2, 2015. Visitation will be held at 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 am, on Wednesday, October 7, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held following the visitation. Memorials may be directed to Iowa River Hospice. For condolences please visit www.mitchellffh.com or call (641)-844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Gordon and his family. Gordon LeRoy Lavender was born on October 9, 1929, in Devils Lake, North Dakota, to Robert Brook Lavender and Thelma Aurilla Mc Donnell. After the family moved to Iowa, Gordy attended the Gilman school district. Following graduation, he enlisted and served his country in the United States Army from 1950 until 1952. On December 17, 1951, Barbara Miltenberger and Gordon Lavender were united in marriage. They eventually relocated to the Marshalltown area to raise their family. Gordy was an employee of M&STL & CNW Railroads for 42 years. He was the club president of the Railroad Retirement Association, a member of the Iowa Harness Horse Club and the American Legion post 46 for 55 years. Gordon enjoyed auctions and estate sales, sports, spending time with his grandchildren and listening to talk radio. Left to cherish his memory are his children; Tami (Rick) McGehee, Chris (Teresa) Lavender, siblings; Donna Harris, Mary Ahlberg, Larry Lavender, 15 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. In death, Gordy rejoins his parents; Robert and Thelma, wife; Barbara, sons; Dennis and Kevin, and 4 grandchildren.