Funeral Services for La Vonne E. Klaassen, age 88, of Parkview Manor, Ellsworth, MN and formerly Luverne, MN, were held Wednesday, February 5, 2020, at the Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock, IA, with Reverend Steven DeHann officiating. Burial was in the Pleasant View Cemetery of Little Rock, IA. She died Sunday, February 2, 2020 at the Park View Manor in Ellsworth, MN.
LaVonne E. Klaassen was born on a farm northwest of George, Iowa on October 23, 1931, the daughter of Dick and Trena (Goldhorn) Siebrands. She attended country school in Liberal Township and graduated from the George High School in 1949. She continued her education at Westmar College in Le Mars, IA, and received her Teaching Degree.
She was united in marriage to Alfred F. Klaassen on December 28, 1951. Her husband was in the US Army and she continued to teach school. In 1953 her husband was stationed at Ft. Niagara and they lived in Niagara Falls, New York, where La Vonne worked in a grocery store. In 1954 her husband received his honorable discharge from the Army, and they moved to a farm southwest of Little Rock, IA, where La Vonne again taught school. LaVonne and Alfred were blessed with three children, Aldon, Sherrilyn, and Jody. From 1959 to 1961 they farmed northwest of Luverne, MN. From 1961 to 1971 they farmed northeast of Little Rock, IA. La Vonne helped her husband on the farm, taking care of the home and children and did substitute teaching. In 1972 they moved to Ellsworth, MN. From 1973 to 1998 she was employed at K-Products in Rock Rapids, IA. Upon her retirement in 1998 she enjoyed being home, sewing, quilting and visiting her children and grandchildren and sometimes helped with babysitting. She lived in Ellsworth, MN for 39 years. She moved to Luverne, MN when her husband entered the Minnesota Veterans Home. LaVonne was a member of Hope Reformed Church of rural George, IA, where she taught Sunday School and served as Primary Superintendent of the Sunday School. Later on, she transferred her membership to Salem Reformed Church of Little Rock, IA where she taught Bible School, Catechism, did substitute teaching of the Sunday School, and was Jr. Superintendent. She also served on the Service Work Group.
On September 16, 2015, LaVonne entered Park View Manor in Ellsworth, MN where she remained until her death this past Sunday, February 2, 2020.
She is survived by two sons, Aldon E. Klaassen and his wife Della of Sioux Falls, SD, Jody J. Klaassen and his wife Heather VanderLey of Minneapolis, MN; one daughter, Sherrilyn J. Klaassen of Adrian, MN; three grandchildren, Adam (Stephanie) Klaassen of Cedar Rapids, IA, Katie (Jordan) Semmler of Sioux Falls, SD and Benjamin VanderLey Klaassen of Minneapolis, MN; one great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Semmler (soon to be a big sister); a sister, Leota Gerken of George, IA; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 63 years, Alfred Klaassen; two sisters, Elvina Siebrands and Margaret Krull; three brothers, Ben , Laurence, Richard Siebrands; a sister-in-law, Irene Siebrands; two brothers-in-law, Henry Krull and Jack Gerken; two nephews, James Gerken and Murnice Popkes; and a great-nephew, Merlyn Popkes.
An online registry and full obituary will be available at: www.jurrensfuneralhome.com
