Laverne Carroll Blaszak, "Carroll," 91, of Bradenton, Florida passed away peacefully alongside family and under Hospice Care on January 27, 2024. She was born in Washington, Michigan on February 7, 1932. Her first job was as a carhop at a A&W Root Beer Stand at 13 years old.
She retired after 22 years from F & S Carton Company as a secretary and box designer, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Carroll worked on the Board of Directors of OIC (Opportunities Industrialization Center) for seven years with two years as Board Chair person. She also spent one year as President of American Business Women's Association, Woodland Chapter. She was awarded the ABWA Woman of the Year in 1976. She had a lifetime membership of Amvets Post 23 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
She met and fell in love with her husband Donald at the American Boxboard Association, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They were married August 27, 1955 after Don returned home from his deployment with the United States Army.
Carroll moved to Bradenton, Florida in 1989 and lived in the loving community of Lincoln Arms Mobile Home Park. She continued to work 34 more years selling mobile homes for Mobile Homes Sales by Jennifer/Jim O'Connor Agency. She was also a member of the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Post 18 in Bradenton, Florida.
She loved reading, traveling, playing cards, and dancing. Carroll was a very strong, independent woman with a caring heart. She provided endless smiles to each and every person she met. She loved her family and grandchildren.
She especially loved traveling and took 16 cruises with her companion Louie Korrie, over the course of 25 years. She loved reading to and with her grandchildren and playing cards for endless hours. She was a six-time Cancer survivor and an absolute Warrior through each journey.
She was an avid storyteller that you could listen to for hours. She was a very intelligent woman that loved to watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. She had a very large collection of various Cobalt Blue glass. She will be remembered as a person who loved to laugh and she was positive in any situation.
Carroll is preceded in death by her loving Husband of 38 years: Donald Leon Blaszak Sr.; Infant Daughter: Elizabeth Marie Blaszak; Son: Donald Leon Blaszak Jr.; Her Parents: Floyd and Ora (Corner) Maiville; Sister: Edna Pearl; Brother: Herman Clyde Maiville; Foster Parents: George and Freda Corner; Son-in-Law: David Fay; and her loving companion of 25 years: Louie Korrie.
She is survived by Her Daughters: Bonnie (Keith) Kroupa, Beverly Fay, and Roberta (Robert) Lathrop; Daughter-in-Law: Linda Blaszak; Brother: Russell (Rosie) Maiville; Sisters: Leeora Wright, Nona (Boyce) Miller; Sister-in-Law: Carol Maiville; 11 Grandchildren; 27 Great Grandchildren; 4 Great Great Grandchildren; many Nieces and Nephews and Cousins; and her 'Sister of My Heart': Constance Phillips.
A Memorial Service is going to be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 1:00 pm with a light luncheon at Lincoln Arms Mobile Home Park Clubhouse: 5030 14th Street West, Bradenton, Florida, 34207. Per Carroll's request, cremation has taken place.
A Celebration of Life is going to be held at a later date this summer in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers a Memorial Donation may be made to DAV Post 18 in Bradenton Florida, Wounded Warriors, Grand Rapids, Michigan Amvets Post 23, or your local Hospice Care.
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 26th Street Chapel, 5624 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida 34207, is in charge of arrangements.
