LaVonne Lawrence
LaVonne Lawrence, age 86, of Valley City, ND, died Tuesday, February 14th at SMPSt. Raphael in Valley City. A celebration of LaVonne’s Life and inurnment will take place later in the Spring. Funeral arrangements by the Lerud Mathias Funeral Home of Valley City. An online guestbook for LaVonne is available at www.lerudmathias.com.
LaVonne E. Lawrence was born on July 15, 1936 to Leslie G. Lawrence & Eleanor (Amundson) Lawrence in Estelline, SD. LaVonne graduated from Hayti, SD High School in 1954. After graduation she married Donald J. Wurtz. To this union 3 children were born: Steven Alan and twins, Gloria Jean & Glenda Joan. Don and LaVonne traveled 5 states and 17 cities where he put in the telephone dial systems. In 1961 they moved to Belle Fourche, SD where she lived for 30 years. While a resident of Belle Fourche she was active in the Jayceettes, Girl Scouts, Women of the Moose, and bowling leagues. She was awarded Woman of Achievement while leading the Belle Fourche WOTM Chapter. In 1962 she married Ron Walker and gained a step-son, Michael. In 1991 LaVonne moved to Louisiana to be near her daughter, Gloria & family. While living in Louisiana, she worked at H&R Block and St. Francis Cabrini Hospital. She moved to Casper, WY in August 1998 along with her daughter Gloria & family to be near daughter Glenda & family. Gloria was diagnosed with cancer and passed away February 27, 1999 in Casper, WY. LaVonne’s mother, Eleanor contracted pneumonia 3 days after Gloria’s funeral and was hospitalized. LaVonne then moved to Valley City in June of 1999 to care for her mom. After a year of recovery her mom could care for herself and LaVonne found employment with Green Thumb/ Experience Works. LaVonne also became involved with the Valley City Chamber Ambassadors and was awarded the Community Spirit Award in 2005 and again in 2014. She volunteered for the APOC Society as treasurer. In June 2007 LaVonne and Ken Merkes were married. LaVonne loved children, dogs, doing crossword puzzles, photography, baking, and she was an avid reader.
LaVonne is survived by: her husband, Ken Merkes; children: Glenda Albertson (Glenrock, WY); Steve (Liz) Wurtz (Edmond, OK); stepchildren, Mike (Cindy) Walker (Tulsa, OK); Vanessa (Eric) Skolness (Gyndon, MN); and Chris Merkes (Valley City, ND); sister, Marie Albertson (Canton, SD); sister-in-law, Carol Lawrence (Grand Junction, CO); 10 grandchildren: Rebecca Albertson, Rachel (Albertson) Yocum, Amanda (Albertson) Miller, Matthew Albertson, Aimee Albertson, Leslie Tyler, Shelia Tyler, Marcus Tyler, Megan Tyler, and Morgan Tyler, 2 step grand children: Jacob Skolness and Shelby Skolness as well as 22 great grandchildren with her first great, great grandchild which is due in July.
LaVonne was preceeded in death by her parents; husbands, Don Wurtz and Ron Walker; her only nephew, Rodney Young; daughter, Gloria Jean Tyler; sonin-law, Gerald Albertson; and brother, Duane Lee Lawrence.