Obituary of LaVeda Jane Flaten

After a courageous battle with Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, LaVeda (Vada) Jane Flaten, 76, was promoted to Glory on November 11, 2024, at the Solvay Hospice House in Duluth, MN. She was surrounded by her family who faithfully kept vigil at her bedside. True to form, she gave directions and instructions to the family up to the end.

Vada’s was born on June 7, 1948, the third child of George and Ardis (VanderHyde) Peppenger in Spooner, WI at the apartment of her parents’ friends when her sudden delivery left no time to travel to the hospital.

On April 8th, 1972, she was united in marriage to Gary Flaten and they celebrated their 52nd anniversary this past year. She and Gary enjoyed summers camping at Totogatic Park in Minong and considered their camping friends like a second family. She was proud of her north-end roots and attended the Ericsson School from K-8th grade and graduated in 1966 in the first graduating class from Superior Senior High School. During her working years, she served as an elementary school para-professional at the Ericsson, Blaine, and Northern Lights Elementary schools.

In addition to her parents, Vada was preceded in death by her brother Jule, and brother-in-law Bert Lemke.

She is survived by her children, daughter Danyel (Chris Frederickson) Superior; and son Troy (Rhonda Summerfield) Superior; sister Bonnie Lemke, Ripon, WI; brothers Dennis (Sylvia) Grovetown, GA; and Elroy John, White Bear Lake, MN. Grandchildren, Devin Born, Kenna Frederickson, Alex Iverson, Chase Summerfield, and Morgan Flaten. And lifelong friend, Joan Cordts.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Vintage Italian Pizza, 1201 Tower Avenue in Superior on Saturday, November 23rd from noon to 3 p.m.

The Cremation Society of Minnesota is assisting the family with arrangements.