LaVonne M. Anderson, 84

LaVonne M. Anderson, 84, died Thursday, October 20, 2011, at Knute Nelson after suffering a stroke.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, October 26 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria with the Rev. John Martinson officiating. Music was provided by Sandy Buckner, organist, and Myron Larson, soloist. Interment was in the Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria with her grandchildren serving as pallbearers.

LaVonne Mae Anderson was born on October 31, 1926, in Garfield, the daughter of Harry and Julia (Gunderson) Johnson. She was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith at the East Moe Lutheran Church in Moe Township. LaVonne grew to womanhood on the family farm and attended country school through the 8th grade.

When LaVonne became a high school freshman she moved to Alexandria and lived with her aunt. This gave her the opportunity to attend Alexandria High School and further her education there. During her high school years she made many life-long friends and was very active in the Drum and Bugle Corps. LaVonne graduated in 1944, the same weekend as the D-Day Invasion. She was very proud to be a member of the Greatest Generation.

Following high school LaVonne found employment in Alexandria and continued to live there. It was during that time that she met Paul Anderson and the couple was married on June 22, 1947. Paul owned and operated Anderson Furniture Company and Anderson Funeral Home and LaVonne handled all the duties at home as the couple had three children born to them. Paul died of a sudden heart attack in 1977 and the ownership duties of the businesses were suddenly thrust upon LaVonne and her three sons at this time.

She has always been involved at Calvary Lutheran Church. When her children were younger she was always involved in teaching Sunday School and later sang in the church choir, was a member of the library committee, was president of the Lutheran Church Women group and for years had knitted about 25 baby sweaters a year to be sent to missions. Up until her death she was responsible for hand-writing all of the birthday card greetings that the church sent to its members.

LaVonne was also active in the PEO Sisterhood and served as the Alexandria Chapter AO President during the 1970s. She also enjoyed playing bridge where she was a member of several clubs, one for 52 years. LaVonne also served as secretary of the Kinkead Cemetery Association for 15 years. During the time she was widowed she was fortunate to have such great friends and traveled with many to all parts of the United States via Motorcoach travel. She was also able to travel to Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and Japan with her many friends. Her friends meant a great deal to her.

LaVonne is survived by her sons David (Lori) Anderson of Alexandria, Thomas (Angie) Anderson of Alexandria; grandchildren Robert Anderson, Jamie Knox, Paul Anderson, Kreg Anderson, Jack Anderson, and Sophie Anderson and Great-Granddaughter Madison Anderson. Also surviving is her brother Raymond (Jean) Johnson of Garfield and several nieces and nephews.

LaVonne was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son James Anderson in 1993, and brother Kenneth Johnson.

Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home; www.andersonfuneral.net.

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