LaVada Buresh

Born in Muscatine, IA
Born on Apr 10, 1928
Departed on Mar 25, 2021

Memorial

LaVada Mae Carter Buresh, 92 of Cedar Rapids died peacefully, Thursday, March 25, 2021 at the Gardens of Cedar Rapids.  LaVada was born on April 10, 1928 to Harold Herman and Florence May (Higgins) Carter in Muscatine, Iowa.

She graduated from Muscatine High School in 1946, and moved to Cedar Rapids Iowa, where she attended the Paris Beauty Academy, graduating in 1948.  She was then employed by Killian’s Beauty Salon, and during that time her best friend LaVonne introduced her to her cousin, Lloyd Buresh.  He was the man LaVada would marry and share her life with for the next 53 years.

LaVada and Lloyd were engaged Christmas 1950 and married June 24, 1951 at Fairfax Methodist Church, Fairfax, Iowa.  After living in Cedar Rapids for a short time, they moved to the Buresh farm until purchasing their own home in 1955 in Cedar Rapids.  They dreamed of raising a family in the country and in 1964 they moved to the house they were building, TimberRidge, outside of Cedar Rapids.  After her family was grown, LaVada went back to work in sales at J.C. Penney’s until she retired.  LaVada lived at TimberRidge until March of this year.

LaVada’s talents and interests were varied and diverse.  She played basketball in high school and again on the YWCA team in Cedar Rapids.  In 1950, she was a prize model for Killian’s at the Hairdresser’s Style Show at Armor Ballroom.  She was an avid roller skater in her youth and as an adult, taught her daughter to skate.  As the house at TimberRidge was being constructed, she helped Lloyd put up siding, install hard work floors and complete the staining of the doors and woodwork.  As a mother and homemaker, her skills with the sewing machine were evident as she made recital and Halloween costumes, winter coats, Barbie Doll clothes for Christmas as well as draperies and many other items for the home.  She loved her flower gardens and enjoyed working outside in the summertime.

After retirement, LaVada and Lloyd spent many weeks each summer traveling by car with friends to all areas of the U.S.  She and Lloyd were avid Hawkeye Fans and enjoyed the yearly bus trips year to an away football game.

The Buresh children remember many wonderful experiences growing up, as LaVada and Lloyd provided family camping vacations every year and long holiday weekend camping trips around Iowa.  The many family reunions and holiday gatherings at the Buresh household will not be forgotten.

LaVada was a member of the Fairfax Pekomy Post American Legion Auxiliary and the Fairfax L.A. Club.

She is survived by her children Jan (Victor) Barnholdt of Swisher, Roger and David Buresh of Cedar Rapids, siblings Harold Carter of Missoula, MT, Nancy Reynolds of Medford, OR, James Carter of Muscatine, and Robert Carter (Madelin) of Naples, FL.  She was preceded in death by her parents, brother William Carter, sister Donna Malnati, nephews Robert Malnati and Jason Carter.

A private graveside service will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery on Tuesday, March 30, 2021.  Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  A celebration of life will be planned in the future when it is safe to gather with family and friends.

Special thanks to the staff at BrightStar Care, St. Luke’s Hospital, The Gardens and Hospice of Mercy for the care and support they showed LaVada while she was in their care.  Memorials may be directed to the above or to the Pekomy Post American Legion.