Virginia Grace (Reavis) Laflin

Virginia Grace (Reavis) Laflin, 89, of Crab Orchard, Nebraska passed away peacefully at the P.E.O. Home in Beatrice, Nebraska, surrounded by family on August 2, 2025.  She was born to Joseph and Florence Adalade (Tyler) Reavis on September 25, 1935, in Falls City, Nebraska.  Virginia grew up in Falls City and upon graduation from high school attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and pledged to the Delta Gamma Sorority.  While attending college, she met and fell in love with her future husband, Lewis E. Laflin of Crab Orchard, Nebraska.  The two were joined in marriage on October 3, 1954, at the United Methodist Church in Falls City.  They were married for 67 years.

Shortly after their marriage, Lew was stationed in Mannheim, Germany with the United States Army where they lived for two years.  Upon returning to the United States, the couple came back to the family farm in Crab Orchard to raise their family. To this union three sons were born, Mike, Mark and John.  Virginia was a wife, mother and full-time homemaker.  Beginning in 1982, she worked outside the home as the Johnson County Deputy Assessor for 20 years.  Supporting her three children, seven grandchildren and  20 great-grandchildren was the fulfillment of her life, with her standard question:  “Can I make you something?”.

Active in the community as an early member of Country Cousins Extension Club, Crab Orchard 4-H Livestock Club leader, Crab Orchard Legion Auxiliary member, Lewiston Consolidated Schools school board, in addition to  70 year member of P.E.O. Chapter AT and Friends in Council, both in Tecumseh, Nebraska.  Virginia was a member and faithful organist of the Crab Orchard Methodist Church and later became a member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Beatrice, Nebraska. Virginia enjoyed following Nebraska athletics, raising flowers and was very involved with the Nebraska Republican Party over the years.  

Virginia is survived by her children Mike Laflin, Mark (Kari) Laflin, Crab Orchard; John (Shirley) Laflin, Lincoln, grandchildren: Tyler (Melissa) Laflin, Omaha; Katie (Ryan) Trauernicht, Beatrice; Abby (Kory) Lehr, Crete; Lucas (Samantha) Laflin, Beatrice; Hannah (Samuel) Kincade, Lincoln; Andrew (Katelyn) Laflin, Council Bluffs; Meagan (Jacob) Hovendick, Ogallala, great-grandchildren: Sophia, Lewis, Oliver Laflin; Lila, Henry, Ada Trauernicht; Evelyn, Brooklyn, Cameryn Lehr; Arik, Luke, Theo Laflin; Henley, Huxton, Harper, Heath Hovendick, Rhett Laflin and Nora Kincade.  Other family members include sisters-in-law Barbara Laflin, Olsburg, Kansas, Pat Reichenbach, Lincoln, and Shelby (Austin) and Stevie, Rex Rose, Lincoln; Josh Blum, Seth Blum, Lincoln, and many nieces and nephews.

Virginia was preceded in death by husband Lewis E. Laflin, parents Joseph and Florence Reavis, brother Joseph Reavis, great-grandchildren Calvin Trauernicht and Hayden Hovendick.                                          

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, August 8, 2025 at the Centenary United Methodist Church in Beatrice, Nebraska with Rev. Dr. Paixo Baptista officiating. A livestream of the service will be available on the Centenary United Methodist Church Facebook page and U-Tube channel for those unable to attend. A link to the livestream is also available here: https://www.facebook.com/100064592143507/videos/2664591633881237 

 A link to the slideshow is available here:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YVbF9axHe6ZfRisn1zPuFGMP5LH4qAkT/view?usp=sharing

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, August 7, 2025 at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorials may go to the Nebraska P.E.O. Home, Beatrice, Crab Orchard Cemetery or Cottonwood Hospice, Beatrice.

Family interment will be in the Crab Orchard Cemetery, Crab Orchard, Nebraska with Pastor Ken Tubbesing officiating.

Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.

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