Reta La Verne Henley

1930 - 2010  (80 years)

• Name	Reta La Verne Henley
  Birth	17 Feb 1930	Ava, Douglas, MO
  Gender	Female
  Death	4 May 2010	Richland, Benton, WA
  	http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/19210/obituary Daily Sun News (Sunnyside, WA) OBITUARY RETA LAVERNE DROLLINGER-NELSON September 02, 2010 Reta Laverne (Henley) Drollinger-Nelson, 80, of Kennewick, our beloved mother, LaVerne, peacefully went to her eternal reward Tuesday morning, May 4, 2010, at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, lovingly surrounded by family and friends. Following her stroke on Aug. 27, 2009, her health rapidly declined, finally ending in cardio-pulmonary failure. She will be greatly missed, but leaves behind a lasting legacy of accomplishments and many fond memories. Mom was born Feb. 17, 1930, in Ava, Mo., the second of two children to Arnder Robert Paul Henley and Nelia Ivory Bernice (nee Slate) Henley. Her family migrated to Sunnyside in 1934 and then moved to Bremerton from 1940 to 1945, where her father worked in the shipyards. They returned to Sunnyside at the end of WWII in 1945. Mom met Lynn Howard Drollinger during her senior year at Sunnyside High School and they were married Nov. 19, 1948 in Sunnyside soon after her graduation. In 1951 they moved to Spokane, where their first child, David Howard was born at Fairchild AFB. Their second child, Diana Lynn, was born in 1952 at Burtonwood AFB, while Dad was stationed in England during the Korean Conflict. They returned to Sunnyside the same year and eventually completed their family with the birth of Richard Alan in 1955. Our family moved to Kennewick in 1957 to open a new branch of the family owned business, Valley Ready Mix Concrete Co. Mom was always athletic, thrived on competition and wasn't afraid to take a risk. She loved to ride horses and ice skate, as a young girl she was a proficient slalom skier as a young adult and often broke a 200-point game while bowling on the Valley Ready Mix Concrete Co. team. She also enjoyed flying with our father who was an ex-fighter pilot and became one of the first three women in the Tri-Cities to receive her pilots license in the mid 1960s. She was known for her sense of style and fashion, as well as being a fabulous cook. She was equally at home modeling at local events, acting in community theaters or hosting large parties in the 60's. Mom was an accomplished business woman. She was instrumental in helping build our family business, even driving trucks when necessary. After she and Dad divorced in 1966, she sold real estate for Des Long Realty in the Tri-Cities and later was a secretary for Collier Chemical Corporation in Finley. She and two of her children, Diana and Rick, moved to Gresham, Ore. in 1970, where she was employed as a secretary/bookkeeper for French and French Employment Agency, which she purchased in 1972. In the spring of 1974 she married Captain Ralph "Rope" Nelson and moved to Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, where he had a charter boat business. She fell in love with the sea, fishing and running their boat, the Blue Hawaii. She caught many Marlin fishing off the Kona Coast, some reaching many hundreds of pounds! Mom and Rope moved back to the mainland in the late 70's and re-established her real estate career working for Windermere Realty in Bellevue until retiring in 1995. In 1996, she moved back to Kennewick, where she lived the final years of her life. Mom is survived by her three children, David (Bonnie) Drollinger, Diana (Frank) Hawkins and Richard (Debbie) Drollinger; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren, Brittney (Blake) Kluse and son, Braxton; Blake (Lesli) Drollinger and daughter, Alena; Taylor Hawkins; Christine Drollinger; Kevin Drollinger; Kimberly Drollinger; and a sister-in-law, Sue Henley of Sun City West, Ariz. and companion, Rob Ferrell. Mom also leaves behind lifelong and steadfast friends, Joyce Taylor, Ruth Fones and Jean "Barney" Ledgerwood, as well as dear friends, Janet Butler and Marsha Hopkins. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Paul; our father; her second husband; and close friend, Marilyn Diamond. Per mom's wish, her body was cremated May 6, 2010, officiated by Life Tributes Cremation Center of Kennewick. A celebration of mom's life will be held Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, beginning at noon, at the home of her son, Dave Drollinger, 8904 W. 6th Ave., Kennewick. In lieu of flowers, a donation to your favorite charity would be appreciated. We love and miss you mom and know we'll be together again! Life Tributes Cremation Center in Kennewick was in charge of arrangements (LaVerne's obituary written by two of her children, Dave and Diane - David H. Drollinger) Mom passed peacefully away yesterday morning on 4 May 2010 at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, Washington surrounded by two of her three children, Diana, myself, two of her six grandchildren, Taylor and Brittney, her grandson-in-law, Blake and her companion, Rob. She will be sorely missed. With the passing of my father, Howard on 31 Dec 1991 and now with the passing of my mother, it marks the two sadest days of my life. (Lovingly submitted to the record of Reta LaVerne (Henley) Nelson by David Howard Drollinger 5 May 2010) U.S., Social Security Death Index Name: Reta La Verne Nelson Social Security Number: 537-26-7151 Birth Date: 17 Feb 1930 Issue Year: Before 1951 Issue State: Washington Last Residence: 99337, Kennewick, Benton, Washington Death Date: 4 May 2010
  Person ID	I2872	Drollinger Genealogy
  Last Modified	15 Feb 2025

  
  

  Father	Arnder Robert Paul Henley, Sr.,   b. 27 Jan 1907, Ava, Douglas, MO d. 29 Apr 1963, Kennewick, Benton, WA (Age 56 years)
  Mother	Nelia Ivory Berniece "Bernice" Slate,   b. 19 Feb 1907, Ava, Douglas, MO d. 20 Aug 1986, Spokane, Spokane, WA (Age 79 years)
  Family ID	F4585	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 1	MAJ Lynn Howard Drollinger,   b. 17 Apr 1923, Madrid, Perkins, NE d. 31 Dec 1991, Sunnyside, Yakima, WA (Age 68 years)
  Marriage	19 Nov 1948	Sunnyside, Yakima, WA
  	As confessed to me by my mother. (David H. Drollinger 1 Oct 2007) Washington, U.S., Marriage Records Name: Lynn H. Drollinger Gender: Male Race: White Marriage License Age: 25 Birth Place: Nebraska Application Date: 3 Nov 1948 Marriage Place: Yakima County, Washington, USA Spouse: Reta La Verne Henley
  Divorce	8 Dec 1966
  	As confessed to me by my mother. (David H. Drollinger 1 Oct 2007)
  Children	+ 1. David Howard "Dave" Drollinger,   b. 25 May 1951, Spokane County, WA   2. Diana Lynn "Diane" Drollinger   3. Richard Alan "Rick" Drollinger
  Documents		Marriage Application
  		Daily Sun-News (Sunnyside, Washington) 02 Dec 1948, Thu Page 6
  Family ID	F928	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	17 Mar 2022

  
  

  Family 2	Ralph Pehr "Rope" Nelson,   b. 14 Jun 1915, Wiluku, Maui, HI d. 11 Apr 2002 (Age 86 years)
  Marriage	22 Mar 1974	Kona Inn, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, HI
  	Married in the evening on the back lawn (between the dining room and the surf break-wall) of the historic Kona Inn in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, Hawaii. Perfect weather. Many friends and relatives were present. Hors d'oeuvres, fruit, caviar and cocktails followed in the adjacent banquet room.
  Divorce	30 Jun 1993	King County, WA
  	Washington, U.S., Divorce Index, 1969-2017 Name: Laverne Nelson Maiden Name: Henley Gender: Female Divorce Date: 30 Jun 1993 Divorce Place: King, Washington, USA Spouse: Ralph P Nelson Number of Children: 0 Notes: Wife filed
  Family ID	F4587	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	12 Dec 2021

  
  

• Event Map

  Birth - 17 Feb 1930 - Ava, Douglas, MO Marriage - 19 Nov 1948 - Sunnyside, Yakima, WA Marriage - 22 Mar 1974 - Kona Inn, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, HI Divorce - 30 Jun 1993 - King County, WA Death - 4 May 2010 - Richland, Benton, WA  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Documents » Slide Show		Passenger List
  		1950 Census
  		Miss Henley To Wed Lynn H. Drollinger Daily Sun-News Sunnyside, Washington · Thursday, October 07, 1948 Page 11

  
  

• Notes

  La Verne's first name was intended by her parents to be spelled 'Rita', however, the person who made out her birth certificate made the mistake of spelling her first name 'Reta' and for reasons yet to be known by me, the correction was never made. In any event, she uses the 'Rita' spelling which is why it appears on most legal and other documents that way. In fact, her name is actually written into her mother's family Bible, in her mother's writing as 'Rita La Verne Henley'. However, she actually refers to herself and is commonly known to others, including her family members as La Verne, her middle given name. Because of the way her name is spelled on her official birth certificate as 'Reta La Verne Henley' that is why it appears in this record with that spelling. She went be here middle name most all of her life. The proper spelling of her middle name is La Verne with a space following the first two letters. Her name is written as "Reta La Verne Henley" on her high school graduation announcements. (David H. Drollinger, her first born child) Mom would have been amazed that a lady by almost the same name was probably living in Gresham, OR at the same time she was! Her name was Reta Mabel Trullinger-Deaville born 19 Apr 1899 Oregon died 14 Dec 1991 Gresham, OR. (DHD 14 Aug 2015) UK, Incoming Passenger Lists Name: Reta L Drollinger Arrival Age: 21 Birth Date: abt 1930 Port of Departure: New York, New York, United States Arrival date: 11 Oct 1951 Port of Arrival: Southampton, England Ports of Voyage: New York and Cherbourg Ship Name: Queen Mary Shipping line: Cunard Steamship Company Ltd Official Number: 164282 New York, Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island) Name: Reta L Drollinger Arrival date: 3 Oct 1952 Birth Date: abt 1930 Birth Location: Missouri Age: 22 Gender: Female Port of Departure: Southampton, England Port of Arrival: New York, New York Ship Name: La Guardia U.S., City Directories Name: Mrs Laverne R Drollinger Gender: Female Residence Year: 1950 Street Address: W506 Sinto av apt 8 Residence Place: Spokane, Washington, USA Occupation: Cashier Publication Title: Spokane, Washington, City Directory, 1950 1940 United States Federal Census Name: Laverne Henley Age: 10 Estimated birth year: abt 1930 Gender: Female Race: White Birthplace: Missouri Marital status: Single Relation to Head of House: Daughter Home in 1940: Selah Rural, Yakima, Washington Map of Home in 1940: View Map Inferred Residence in 1935: Rural, Yakima, Washington Residence in 1935: Rural, Yakima, Washington Resident on farm in 1935: Yes Sheet Number: 13A Attended School or College: Yes Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 3rd grade Neighbors: View others on page Household Members: Name Age Paul Henley 33 Bernice Henley 33 Paul Henley 11 Laverne Henley 10 1950 United States Federal Census Name: Reta L Drollinger Age: 20 Birth Date: abt 1930 Gender: Female Race: White Birth Place: Missouri Marital Status: Married Relation to Head of House: Wife Residence Date: 1950 Home in 1950: Spokane, Spokane, Washington, USA Street Name: West 9th House Number: 2815 Dwelling Number: 150 Farm: No Acres: No Inferred Previous Residence Place: Spokane, Spokane, Washington Occupation: Secretary Industry: Business Office Father Birth Place: USA Mother Birth Place: USA Occupation Category: Working Hours Worked: 35 Worker Class: Private Same House: Yes School Completed: S12 Grade Completed: Yes School Attendance: No Weeks Worked: 11 Income: 5005 Other Income: none Previous Marriage: No Household Members (Name) Age Relationship Lynn H Drollinger 26 Head Reta L Drollinger 20 Wife U.S., City Directories Name: Mrs Laverne R Drollinger Gender: Female Residence Year: 1950 Street Address: W506 Sinto av apt 8 Residence Place: Spokane, Washington, USA Occupation: Cashier Publication Title: Spokane, Washington, City Directory, 1950 Residence Date: 1995 Phone Number: 883-1115 Address: 202 NE Dogwood St B301 Residence: Issaquah, WA Postal Code: 98027 Phone Number: 883-1115 Address: 2602 174th Ave NE # Ave3 Residence: Redmond, WA Postal Code: 98052-6221 Phone Number: 883-1115 Address: 2554 174th Ave NE Residence: Redmond, WA Postal Code: 98052-6222 U.S., Public Records Index Name: R Laverne Nelson Birth Date: 17 Feb 1930 Residence Date: 1996 Phone Number: 883-1115 Address: 2917 W 19th Ave Trlr 108 Residence: Kennewick, WA Postal Code: 99337-2309 UK and Ireland, Outward Passenger Lists Name: Reta L Drollinger Gender: Female Age: 22 Birth Date: abt 1930 Departure Date: 25 Sep 1952 Port of Departure: Southampton, England Destination Port: New York, USA Ship Name: Laguardia New York, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island) Name: Reta L Drollinger Arrival Date: 3 Oct 1952 Birth Date: abt 1930 Last Permanent Address: Missouri Age: 22 Gender: Female Port of Departure: Southampton, England Port of Arrival: New York, New York, USA Ship Name: La Guardia U.S., Departing Passenger and Crew Lists Name: Reta Drollinger Gender: Female Departure Age: 21 Birth Date: abt 1930 Birth Place: Ava. MO. Departure Date: 6 Oct 1951 Departure Place: New York, New York, USA Ship: QUEEN MARY UK and Ireland, Incoming Passenger Lists Name: Reta L Drollinger Arrival Age: 21 Birth Date: abt 1930 Port of Departure: New York, New York, United States Arrival Date: 11 Oct 1951 Port of Arrival: Southampton, England Ports of Voyage: New York and Cherbourg Ship Name: Queen Mary Shipping Line: Cunard Steamship Company Ltd Official Number: 164282