LaVeta Stelzmiller, 91

LaVeta Caryl Stelzmiller, 91, passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, in Sandpoint, Idaho. Private family services will be held in October.

LaVeta was born on January 7, 1935, in Emery, S.D., to Walter and Lorena Heitzman. As a young girl, she attended a one-room schoolhouse before graduating from Emery High School. She later moved to Sioux Falls, S.D., where she worked for the telephone company.

LaVeta married John Stelzmiller on February 9, 1957. They raised three children and made their home in San Jose and Cupertino, Calif., where John owned and operated Bay Area Tire. They later moved to Fountain Hills, Arizona, where John built homes, and then to Placerville, Calif. After retiring in 2023, LaVeta and John moved to Sandpoint, Idaho.

LaVeta remained active in her church throughout her life. She taught Sunday School and served with the AWANA youth group. She was also honored as Republican Woman of the Year in the State of California in 1995. LaVeta loved her grandchildren and had a green thumb, taking great pleasure in gardening and raising plants.

She is survived by her loving husband of 69 years, John Stelzmiller of Sandpoint; son, Moe (Mary Ann) Stelzmiller of Sandpoint; daughter, Kristi (Fred) Stone of Placerville; eight grandchildren, Josh, Lindsay, Shelly, Trevor, Megan, Madeleine, Chelsea, and Cassidy; 12 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Joan Johnson of Mitchell, South Dakota.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her daughter, Lisa Hoaas.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit LaVeta’s online memorial at lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her guest book.