Lavonne Janette Schow

The funeral service is live-streamed at:  vinjechurch.com

Lavonne J. Schow, age 71, of Willmar passed away unexpectedly on Monday morning, October 28, at her residence.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 7, at Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church. www.petersonbrothers.com

Lavonne Janette Schow was born on November 29, 1952, in Willmar, Minnesota, the daughter of Spencer and Elnore (Zahnow) Kostad. She grew up in Willmar and graduated from Willmar High School in 1971. On September 25, 1971, Lavonne married her high school sweetheart, Kim Schow. They were married for over 53 years and were blessed with two children, Jennifer and Matthew. They made their home on a farm near Blomkest for 10 years and then moved to Svea for 5 years prior to moving to Willmar.

She was a stay-at-home mom until 1978, when she began working at the Community Action Agency. In 1989, she began employment at WPC (now called Select Genetics) and retired 30 years later in 2019. In 2020, Lavonne started having medical issues and became very ill in 2022. She was a cancer survivor. Lavonne was strong and fought hard against these diseases but lost the battle on October 28, 2024.

Kim and Lavonne enjoyed traveling, cruises, and bus trips, especially to the New England states. She also enjoyed camping, fishing, playing cards and games with family and friends.

Since she became so sick in 2022, she became quite the Puzzler Queen, finishing 105 puzzles before recently deciding to take a break!

Lavonne loved sports. She grew up playing baseball, softball, volleyball and bowling. She was a huge fan of the Minnesota Vikings and enjoyed cheering on the Timberwolves and Twins as well.

The most important thing to Lavonne was her family. She tried to go to all the activities her kids were involved with. Then came the four grandsons. They quickly became her world. She spent as much time with them as possible. She went to anything they were involved in if she was able. She loved having them come for a visit, staying overnight was extra special. When the boys turned 3, Kim and Lavonne had an annual “grandsons’ trip”. But as the years went by, the boys got into sports and trips turned into going to games to cheer them on.

She is survived by her loving husband, Kim; her two children, Jennifer Schow and Matthew Schow (and special friend, Mel Rogalla), all of Willmar; grandsons, Noah Schow, Carter Schow, Cameren Champagne and Isaiah Schow; three step-grandchildren, Taylin, Caden and Rylan Champagne; one sister, Diane Swanson of Cold Spring; and her in-laws, Jeff (and Julie) Schow, Debbie Schow, Brenda (and Jim) Beningen, Mike Schow and Kurt (and Kimberley) Schow, besides other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Curtis and David Kostad and her in-laws, Russell and Delores Schow and brother-in-law, David Swanson.