Sarah Gavronsky's Obituary
Sarah Gavronsky, age 87, of Centerville, Iowa, died Sunday, April 27, 2008 at Mercy Medical Center in Centerville. She was born to Arn and Ida (Cohn) Bleiweiss on November 9, 1920 in Des Moines, Iowa. She graduated from high school in Des Moines. On November 22, 1953, she married Oscar Gavronsky of Centerville; who was the owner and operator of Reliable Culvert in Centerville for over fifty years. Mrs. Gavronsky had also owned and operated Reliable Electric in Centerville for many years. Mrs.Gavronsky and her husband were very prominent in the Centerville community. In 1976, the Daily Iowegian named Mr. and Mrs. Gavronsky as Citizens of the Year. Mrs. Gavronsky was appointed to the Low Rent Housing Agency (later the Municipal Housing Authority) in 1969. She became chair of the agency in 1974 and went on to hold that position until her death. Mrs. Gavronsky was also a very active member of the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary and developed as a fundraiser the annual Christmas Bazaar that became a Centerville tradition. She was also a member of the Outlook Club and the Appanoose Country Club. In recent years she was instrumental in fundraising to establish an aviary in the Long Term Care unit at Mercy Medical Center in Centerville. Mrs.Gavronsky was also a member of the B'nai Israel Synagogue in Centerville (during its existence), the B'nai Jacob Synagogue in Ottumwa, IA, and Beth El Jacob Synagogue in Des Moines. Mr. and Mrs. Gavronsky also cared for Centerville's Hebrew Cemetery and have made arrangements for its future maintenance.Mrs. Gavronsky was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister, Louise Cole, and two sons - Gilbert Gavronsky and Steve Gavronsky. She is survived by five grandchildren: Nathaniel, Michael, Dallas, Laine and Skye Gavronsky as well as by several nieces and nephews.Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 11 am at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville, Iowa with Rabbi David Kaufman officiating. Burial will follow at the Hebrew Cemetery north of Centerville. A formal visitation will not be held but friends may sign a register book at the funeral home all day on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at the To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Sarah Gavronsky please visit our Sympathy Store.
What’s your fondest memory of Sarah?
What’s a lesson you learned from Sarah?
Share a story where Sarah's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Sarah you’ll never forget.
How did Sarah make you smile?