LaVonne Eliason

LaVonne Eliason, age 87, of Spicer, died Monday afternoon, March 28, at Glen Oaks Care Center in New London.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 2, at Faith Lutheran Church in Spicer. Interment will be at the Spicer City Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, April 1, at Faith Lutheran Church and will continue one hour prior to the service. Memorials are preferred to the Eliason Scholarship Fund at Green Lake Bible Camp.

Jean LaVonne Eliason was born on March 7, 1929, on her family farm, near Twin Valley, Minnesota, the daughter of Joseph and Lena (Lokken) Monson. She and her family spoke only Norwegian at home and she didn't start learning English until she started school. She attended the local country school through the 8th grade and then attended Twin Valley High School, graduating in 1946. In those days, because there was no school bus service, LaVonne lived with a host family in town during the week only going home to see her family on weekends.

After high school, LaVonne attended Moorhead State Teachers College and earned her two year teaching degree. She taught 2nd grade for several years in Borup and Benson. During this time she met her future husband, Roy Eliason, on a blind date. The couple were married on Friday the 13th in April 1951.

They moved to Montevideo, where Roy taught Jr. and Sr. High math and their two sons were born; David in 1953 and Gary in 1955. Shortly after Gary was born, they were given the opportunity to manage the Green Lake Bible Camp during the summers, when school was not in session. They moved again to Willmar and then to Mankato, where LaVonne finished her B.A. in Library Science. After yet another move to Burnsville, LaVonne became the school librarian at Sioux Trail and Cedar Elementary Schools. The school children always looked forward to the days they got to listen to Mrs. Eliason read them stories. After several more stops in Howard Lake and Maple Grove, Roy and LaVonne finally settled back in Spicer in 1981, where they had maintained a summer cabin ever since their early days at the Bible Camp.

They became deeply involved in the community, volunteering at the Spicer City Library, Spicer Lion's Club, Green Lake Bible Camp, and Faith Lutheran Church where, among other things, LaVonne served as the president of the women's organization (ALCW and WELCA) for many years. After Roy's retirement in 1986, they enjoyed traveling across the entire U.S. spending the bulk of their time in the American Southwest.

LaVonne is survived by her husband, Roy of Spicer; sons, David (and Liz) Eliason of Spicer and Gary (and Barb) of Northfield; grandchildren, Peter (and Ana) Eliason and Vera & Hans, of Minneapolis, Ann (and Joey) LaPorte and Franklin of Bloomington, Erik (and Angela) Eliason of Lakeville, John Eliason of Fargo, ND, Josh (and Katie) Eliason and Landon & Elodie of New London, and Anna Eliason of Sioux Falls, SD; a brother, Clarence (and Dorothy) Monson of Eden Prairie; her nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Johnny Monson.

LaVonne will be remembered for her quick wit, her story telling ability, and her sweet giggle. She was very proud of her Norwegian heritage and her family and loved them deeply. May God bless her memory.

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