Avis Sorensen Root crossed over to be with her Heavenly Father July 23, 2022, after a battle with cancer. She went peacefully surrounded by her family.
Avis was born July 26, 1940, and raised in Denver, Colo. She met her husband, Kenneth Root, on a blind date and they got married April 4, 1961, after Kenn returned home from naval duty in Japan. They then moved around the country depending on where Kenn was based. They ended up in San Diego, Calif., where Avis was a housewife and raised their four daughters while Kenn served in the Navy. After Kenn retired form Federal civil Service, they moved to Kalona in November of 2007, along with their daughter, Penny, and her two children.
Avis loved to knit, crochet, cook and bake, as well as attending services at English River Chapel in Kalona. Her oldest grandson, Anthoney Johns, described her perfectly when he said, “Her heart was one of love and she shared it with whoever was willing to accept it.” Because of her love, she had a huge number of people who called her mom.
She is survived by her husband: Kenn Root of Kalona; three daughters: Penny Hopper of Kalona, Christy Brown of Oskaloosa, and Rebekah Ballanger of Oskaloosa; eight grandchildren: Anthoney Johns of Las Vegas, Nev., Aaron Johns of Reno, Nev., Alex Johns of Houston, Texas, Phil Radebolt of Washington, Lillian Radeboldt of Coralville, Chenoa Van Skike of Oskaloosa, Jimmy Brown of Oskaloosa, and Kasey Brown of Oskaloosa; eight great-grandchildren: Nathan, Nevaeh, Dwight, Brooklyn, Archer, Aliya, Carson and Paisley.
She was preceded by her parents; four brothers; one sister; and daughter: Kimi Johns.
A celebration of life service will be held in August.
