LaVonne Schmadeke

LaVonne Jolene Schmadeke was born April 17, 1931 to Joseph and LaMernie (Schelldorf) Giermann. She died May 31, 2024 at University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. 

 LaVonne was born on a farm near Kiron, Iowa. She received her education in the country school near her home. LaVonne was baptized into Christ May 17, 1931, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Stockholm Township, Kiron Iowa and later confirmed her faith at that same church May 13, 1945. 

 On October 22, 1950, LaVonne was united in marriage to Raymond O. Schmadeke at St. John’s Lutheran Township, Kiron, Iowa. They made their home on LaVonne’s parents farm and were blessed with the birth of two sons, Lonny Ray and Lance Jay. They worked together on the farm and LaVonne drove a school bus for Denison Community Schools for 43 years. She retired from driving a bus at the age of 81. LaVonne lived on the same farm place all of her life. 

 In her leisure time, she enjoyed eating out, going to the casino, and watching the Yankees play baseball and the Hawkeye men play basketball. She attended several Yankees games live. For their 50th Anniversary, she went to Las Vegas, with the whole family. Many times you could find LaVonne babysitting her two grandsons and later in life her great-grandsons. She attended many ball games and plays supporting her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Denison. 

 She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Raymond Schmadeke; one son, Lance Jay in infancy, sister, Darlene Boyens and husband, LaVerne. Survivors include: one son, Lonny and his wife, Susan of Kiron; two grandchildren: Cory Schmadeke and his wife, Stephanie of Denison and Chad Schmadeke and his wife, Kelli of Vinton; three great-grandsons: Christian and Gavin Schmadeke of Denison and Lance Paul Schmadeke of Vinton.

 Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., with visitation held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. all on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Denison with interment at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery Stockholm Township near Kiron. Memorials may be directed to the family.