LaVonne C. Anderson Obituary

 ST. JAMES: A Funeral Service for LaVonne C. Anderson, 96, of St. James, Minnesota and formerly of Trimont will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 16, 2024 at Augustana Lutheran Church in St. James with burial in Mount Hope Cemetery in St. James, Minnesota. LaVonne was called to her eternal rest on Monday morning, November 4, 2024 at Mayo Clinic Health Systems in St. James, Minnesota. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M.-11:00 A.M. Saturday, November 16, 2024 at Augustana Lutheran Church. Messages of Sympathy may be sent to the family online at www. kramerfuneralhome.com LaVonne Carol Larson was born to John and Hilma (Pierson) Larson on December 22, 1927 at the family farm near St. James, MN. A lifelong Lutheran she was baptized, confirmed, and married at Augustana Lutheran. After marriage, for more than fifty years, she was an active member of First Lutheran Church in Trimont, MN  Graduating from St. James High School in 1946, she continued her education at the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis. Her career included employment at the Triumph State Bank, the Bank of America in CA, and as an assistant librarian at the Trimont School District. LaVonne spent many happy years on the family farm with her four siblings and parents. She often talked about her mother’s large garden, the huge apple orchard, collecting eggs from the hen house, and helping with the canning. Because she suffered from asthma, LaVonne would spend the summers with her Aunt Ellen and Uncle Ragnar at their home in Minneapolis. LaVonne was introduced to Philip Anderson one Saturday night when both were enjoying a treat at the St. James Kandy Kitchen, a place teenagers would congregate after the movies. Married 74 years ago on September 7, 1950, the new couple moved to Trimont where Philip worked at the Gamble Hardware store and LaVonne at the bank. From 1952-1954 they lived in China Lake, CA, near the Mojave Desert, while Philip served in the Marines. LaVonne became a lead teller at the Bank of America there. Following their time in CA, they returned to Trimont and started a family with Michael born in 1954 and Douglas, 1957. LaVonne enjoyed many years in Trimont where she developed many deep friendships and served the community in many capacities. For twenty years she served as the Sunday School superintendent for First Lutheran recruiting teachers, ordering materials, and leading the annual Christmas program. Her membership in the American Legion Auxiliary was especially meaningful and her work at the Trimont schools kept her in contact with young people. She would always cherish her time reading stories to elementary students. LaVonne’s garden was something to behold. Often, at supper, she would say, “Everything we are having is from the garden.” Book clubs, card clubs, garden club, baking, sewing, canning, reading, and watching her sons play sports were all part of her life. She and Philip also had the opportunity to travel the USA to visit their children in places like Williamsburg, VA, Florida, Seattle, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. In 2008 when LaVonne and Philip moved to St. James, she connected again with her earlier life, renewed friendships, joined Augustana Lutheran, and simply enjoyed her time with Philip. LaVonne entered her eternal rest and was reunited with those who have gone before her on November. 4, 2024, at nearly 97 years of age. Her slow decline in her last years was due to congestive heart failure and was difficult but she was very courageous, and Philip was a loving caregiver. She is survived by her husband Philip, and her sons Michael (Patty) and Douglas (Vickie), grandchildren Brittney (Angelo), Jason, Kala, and Sara (Sean), great-grandchildren, Nat, Lola, Lena, Jude, Jonah, and Liam. Many thanks to you who made LaVonne’s life beautiful. She had no regrets and wished us to thank you for your friendship. Memorials to Augustana Lutheran, St. James, and First Lutheran, Trimont.