La Von Beth Scott Wankum

Cuyahoga Falls- La Von Beth Scott Wankum departed for eternity on May 12, 2022.  She was born April 22, 1933, the third of three daughters of Robert Dudley and Sophie Emma Lau Scott of Melrose, Wisconsin. She graduated with the class of 1951 of Melrose High School. To earn tuition for college, she worked summers and after classes as a TPN (Trained Practical Nurse). She gave piano lessons at her parent’s home on weekends along with farm chores. As a member of the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra with Maestro Leigh Elder, she met many world-renowned artists during college.

A 1955 graduate of Viterbo University, La Von taught vocal and instrumental music and English at Almond High School. After her marriage to Roman in 1956, she set up the music programs at the Brookfield Elementary School and pre-elementary music programs at Guardian Angels and St. Barnabas schools in Milwaukee.

After moving to Cuyahoga Falls in 1958, the couple made life-long friendships through Christian Family Movement and St. Joseph Church. La Von was the first organist and choir director of St. Eugene Church. This led to founding The Royal Set, an a cappella double trio that enjoyed a lot of laughter and singing all over Summit County. She played trombone with the Falls Community Band, and violin with The Chapel Orchestra.  La Von served as president of Falls Music Club with memberships in Ohio and National Federation of Music Clubs and as a counselor to Pipes o’ Pan, a junior music club.

Along with teaching private lessons in piano/music theory, violin, and trombone, La Von enjoyed accompanying students for their OMEA solos. For many years, her students performed a classical recital in the spring. A themed outdoor summer recital was followed by a picnic for families at 1228 Washington Avenue, beautifully landscaped by Roman. Families who could not afford lesson fees were never turned away. She believed each child deserves music lessons.

La Von was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Doreen (Bob) Griepentrog, and Norma (James) Kunkel, and grandson Derek Wankum. In addition to her husband, Roman, four children survive: Rae (Robert) Yeager, Robert (Teresa) Wankum, Rachel Wankum, and Rebecca (Rodney) Roof.  Also surviving are grandchildren: Alexa (Gerti) Alizoti, Janelle Wankum, Kristin and Meredith (Julia) Yeager, Abigail and Griffin Roof, and great-grandchildren Enzo and Adriana Alizoti. “Auntie Biz” had 43 nieces and nephews.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Viterbo University, which recently opened their Sr. Thea Bowman Center.

There will be a visitation on Friday, May 20, 2022 from 6-8PM at the Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 1930 Front Street Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1905 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223, on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 10AM. Immediately following the Mass, interment will take place at Northlawn Memorial Gardens. Services have been entrusted to the Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home.