Lavida H. “Vi” Richards
August 15, 1922- January 24, 2024

Lavida H. “Vi” Richards, 101+, of Sweet Home passed away January 24, 2024 in Lebanon. She was born near Chariton, Iowa on August 15, 1922, the youngest of 8 children born to H. Taylor and Myrtle (Nussbaum) Oxenreider. She grew up on a farm in Lacona, Iowa and attended high school in Chariton, Iowa.

In 1940, Lavida married Noel Richards. They had their first daughter, Barbara, before moving west. They moved from their farm to Oregon seeking a more prosperous life. Noel found work in the timber industry where he became a timber faller. Their daughters, Sharon and Shirley, were born in Oregon. In a span of four years, they now had three daughters. In the late 1940’s, they moved back to Iowa, where they lived on the Richards’ family farm. Their first son, Steve, was born in Iowa.

Even though Lavida grew up on a farm, country life wasn’t for her. Again, the family returned to Oregon and settled in the Sweet Home area. She loved the small city life and considered Sweet Home “her town.”

The Richards family continued to grow, adding daughter Linda, and a son, Mike. Lavida always wanted a large family and their family was now complete with six children.

For many years, Lavida spent her time being a mom and grandma. She looked after many of her grandchildren while their parents worked or went to school and never asked for anything in return.

After more than 30 years together, Lavida and Noel were divorced but remained friends until his passing in 1986.

Besides being a stay-at-home mom, Lavida sold Stanley Home Products and worked in the cannery and the restaurant business. She enjoyed being around people and volunteered at the Gleaners and at the Senior Center serving lunch. At the age of 90, she was given an award at the Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce banquet for her many years of volunteering.

​Vi, as she liked to be called, enjoyed playing cards, playing Bingo, traveling and going to the Veteran’s Club to visit her many friends. She was a member of the Royal Neighbors, American Legion and V.F.W. organizations. She attended the Sweet Home Christian Church.

Above all, Lavida enjoyed being around family and looked forward to holidays and celebrations. On her 100th birthday in August 2022, a family reunion brought together over 60 family members from across the country.

When Vi was 95, she went to live at Willamette Manor Assisted Living in Lebanon. She spent her final two years in a nursing facility at Avamere in Lebanon. Vi’s family was active in her care and well-being. Being busy her whole life, it was hard for her to slow down.

Lavida is survived by 5 of her 6 children. Surviving children and their spouses are: Barbara (Ray) Ward, Sharon Gilbert, Shirley (Gary) Jones, Steve (Marilyn) Richards, Greg Renoud, and Mike Richards. She had 13 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. Preceded in death by her daughter, Linda Renoud (March 2023); her parents; five brothers and two sisters.

Funeral service will be 1:30 pm Saturday February 3rd at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. Private family burial will be at Gilliland Cemetery. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements. www.sweethomefuneral.com