LaVera Mae Holt

LaVera (West) Holt, 86, died Tuesday morning, December 12, 2023 at the Paonia Care and Rehabilitation Center in Paonia, Colorado.

LaVera (Vera) was born on May 4th, 1937 to Clell and Ula (Austin) West at the West's farm house on Bone Mesa.  Vera started school at the old Stewart Mesa School House on Stewart Mesa until 4th grade, she then finished her school years at Hotchkiss, graduating in 1955.  In that summer at the Paonia Cherry Days, on the 4th of July, she met the love of her life, Deon Holt.  Vera went to college at Mesa College in Grand Junction, Colorado, Deon went into the Army.  They saw each other when they could, and on August 23rd,1959, they were married at the Christian Church in Paonia.  A year after their marriage, Vera gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Sharon Ray.  Sadly, a few days later she died.  Then on Christmas Eve she gave birth to a baby boy, Tommy.  He would also die soon after birth.  Vera and Deon's love for each other got them through their sorrow.  Two years later, their son Donald Clell "Kelly" was born and in another two years, Devin.  In 1968, Stacy Dyan joined them.  Their happy family was complete!  Vera loved staying home and taking care of her family.  Deon was Co-Owner of Don's Market in Paonia.  Both Vera and Deon loved Paonia.  They also enjoyed 60 years of marriage before Deon's death in November of 2019.  Vera remarked so many times how lost she felt since Deon's passing.  Now, she isn't lost anymore, Vera and Deon are together again.

Vera is survived by her two sons, Kelly and Devin, her daughter Stacey and her grandson Torey Holt.  Also, her brother, Gilbert West of Taos, New Mexico, her sister Helen West of Hotchkiss, sister-in-laws Shirley Boyden and Clara Holt, brother-in-law Bob Holt, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.  And of course her friends and former classmates that still meant so much to her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clell and Ula West, her wonderful husband, Deon Holt, her precious babies and several inlaws; Don and Lucille Holt, Roland Holt, Lawrence West, Raffie West and John Boyden.

Currently there are no plans for a service, perhaps at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Special Olympics in her name.