With heavy hearts, we share the passing of LaVera Dunbar of Ellensburg, WA.
A life is more than dates on a stone; here is a small portion of her story.
LaVera held deeply to the Latter-day Saints faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
A life of belief is a life of quiet conversation with something larger.
LaVera Jean Dunbar, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, peacefully departed this world on April 30, 2026, just shy of her ninety-ninth birthday.
LaVera was born May 10, 1927, in WaKeeney, Kansas, to Herman and Thelma Beamer, who were high school sweethearts. He was an all-star athlete, and she was the prettiest girl in school. They married on June 29, 1926, in Ness City, Kansas.
From a very young age, LaVera had a real passion for learning and reading. When she discovered the encyclopedia in fourth grade, she made it her goal to someday own a set of her own. She would later own three sets! While reading and learning were her passions, she also enjoyed dancing and playing the clarinet, and performed in the Meadville, Mississippi, school marching band. Due to her strong academic abilities, she graduated from high school at fifteen and enrolled at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado, at sixteen! There she met many lifelong friends as well as her future husband. At the age of seventeen, LaVera answered the call of duty by joining the newly formed Navy Cadet Nurse Corps. She completed her training at Saint Anthony's Hospital in Denver, Colorado, where she received her Cadet Nurse's Certificate.
After World War II ended, Felix Dunbar Jr. returned home from valiantly serving with the 10th Mountain Division in Italy. They soon rekindled their friendship and fondly remember their first date at The Rainbow Ballroom in Denver, dancing to Glenn Miller's "String of Pearls". Two months later, they became engaged, then two weeks later, married on October 20, 1945, in Boulder, Colorado. In 1954, they purchased three acres in the country, checked out a book from the library titled "How to Build Your Dream House for $3,500," and built their dream home where they raised their 4 children. They shared 64 wonderful years together until Felix's passing on April 29, 2009. Soon after his death, LaVera sold the home they built together and moved to Cedar Hills, Utah, to be closer to family. After the passing of her daughter, Dawn, she moved to Ellensburg, Washington, to reside with her son Loren and daughter-in-law Betsy until her passing.
LaVera was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was deeply grateful for the young missionaries who knocked on their door early in their married life. She served in numerous church callings throughout her life, including a two-year stake mission.
She was a gifted storyteller and published author of many stories and poems. Though an avid reader throughout her life, she read only for facts and never for fiction. She will be fondly remembered for her service to others, her many talents, and her fun-loving nature.
LaVera was preceded in death by her husband, Felix Holt Dunbar Jr., and their daughter, Dawn Aliene Bender. She is survived by her three sons, Russell L. Dunbar, Randall A. Dunbar, and Loren R. Dunbar; her brother Del Beamer; eighteen grandchildren; forty-two great-grandchildren, with two more on the way and eleven great-great-grandchildren.
She will be interred at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado, with her eternal companion, Felix.
Poem written by LaVera to her husband Felix
My Friend
Today is such a special day,
Cause you are here with me…
You took my hand, became my friend
And yes, I loved your company.
To spend each day of Life with you,
I'm sure I'd feel content
To look back on each hour of time
I'd find them all well-spent.
And when my days of life are through,
I know I'll want to say…
My world has been a better place
Because, my friend, you came my way.
