Lavonne Fay Oliver

LaVonne Fay, daughter of Bert F. and Lillie (Petersen) Dryden, was born November 20, 1917 at Audubon, Iowa. She graduated from Audubon High School in 1935 and then attended the University of Southern California and the American Institute of Banking, both in Los Angeles, CA. LaVonne worked for Audubon County as a legal secretary and as a secretary in a bank and an aircraft company in California. LaVonne met her future husband back home in Iowa, and, during one of his military leaves, she and Orrin "Pete" Oliver were united in marriage on May 14, 1944. After being discharged from the Army in 1945 Pete and LaVonne made their home together in Coon Rapids. During the 1950s they began their family, adopting two children, Mark and Sue. LaVonne worked as a secretary at the Coon Rapids Community School, Garst & Thomas and Thomas Rest Haven, retiring in 1981. Following retirement LaVonne and Pete enjoyed many travels together, though her favorite hobby may have been shopping at Younkers. She was also the family historian, and she never failed to photograph her family through the years. Since 1944 LaVonne was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Coon Rapids. She held numerous leadership roles and taught bible and Sunday school through the years. LaVonne was a member of the United Methodist Women and served as a delegate to the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. She was also a leader in the American Legion Auxiliary, Coon Rapids Federated Club and Order of the Eastern Star for over 40 years. Her countless volunteer hours include involvement in the American Red Cross, the congregate meals, A.F.S., Girl Scouts, Coon Rapids Planning and Zoning Commission, St. Anthony Regional Hospital Auxiliary and Nursing Home and Thomas Rest Haven. Due to the effects of two strokes, LaVonne became a resident of the Thomas Rest Haven over ten years ago. Her health declined over time and she died there on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at the age of 96 years, four months and six days. LaVonne was preceded in death by her parents; husband Pete Oliver in 2009; and sisters Ollyvene (Dale) Hoegh and Esther (Kenneth) Farrell. She is survived by her son Mark (Pat) Oliver and daughter Sue Oliver, all of Coon Rapids; grandsons Bradley Oliver (special friend Alicia Meyer) of Sioux Falls, SD; Jason (Marni) Oliver of Sioux Falls, SD; and Matthew Oliver (special friend Kelsey Crowder) of Forest City; two great-grandsons Aaron Oliver and Nolan Oliver of Sioux Falls, SD; other relatives and friends. Congregational Hymns "How Great Though Art" "Amazing Grace" "In The Garden" Lula Garnes, Organist Casket Bearers Brad Oliver Jason Oliver Matthew Oliver Mark Thomas Bill Kness Ron Tate Interment Union Township Cemetery Near Coon Rapids, Iowa