Lavonne Erickson

Funeral services for LaVonne J. Erickson will be Saturday, September 16, at 11:00 am at the United Methodist Church in Beardsley with Minister James Rach and Rev. Lonnie Johnson officiating.  Music will be provided by organist Nita Holker.

Burial will be in the Holden Lutheran Church Cemetery, Beardsley.  Pallbearers will be LaVonne's grandchildren.

Visitation will be Saturday morning one hour prior to the service at the church.

LaVonne Jeanette Johnson was born November 6, 1940, in Sisseton, SD, to Lester and Gladys (German) Johnson as the fourth of 11 children.  She graduated from high school in Peever, SD, and attended college in Aberdeen, SD.  She lived in Minneapolis, MN, for a while where she worked with the Billy Graham Ministries and Honeywell.  She also was adventurous enough to spend a year traveling and exploring Colorado.

LaVonne met Arlie Erickson at a birthday party for a mutual friend, and they were married on September 14, 1963.  This union, although shortened by Arlie's passing December 10, 1982, was blessed with four children.  They resided and farmed near Beardsley, MN.  LaVonne dedicated her life to her husband, farming, and her family.

LaVonne's faith was important to her.  She attended church at Holden Lutheran Church in Beardsley but also enjoyed visiting the Assemblies of God Church in Sisseton.  She loved listening to music, especially Christian music.  LaVonne worked outside the home for a period of time at the ASCS office in Ortonville and later providing housekeeping services for the elderly in the Beardsley community.

LaVonne enjoyed sewing, quilting, and gardening, with a love for flowers especially.  She cooked many good meals on the farm but preferred baking.  She had a sweet tooth, and her family enjoyed a variety of homemade pies, donuts, cookies, bars, and even ice cream.  Her favorites were pecan and sour cream raisin pie, lemon bars, brownies, seven-layer bars, strawberry shortcake, and pretty much anything chocolate.  She'd be very disappointed if she went to the fridge or freezer for chocolate chips and they had somehow disappeared.

Spending time with family was LaVonne's greatest joy.  She'd travel out of state to visit siblings any chance she'd get and always looked forward to attending the annual German family reunion each July.  She was so thankful to be able to live a half mile away (as the crow flies) from Randy and his family.  She always smiled as she talked about his kids biking over to see her.  Sherri, Brenda, Tracy and their families came back to the farm often and LaVonne would also hop in the car frequently to visit them.  She delighted in each and every one of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, enjoying as much time with her family as she could.

Lavonne was preceded in death by her husband Arlie Erickson; granddaughter Tiffanny Arndt; great-grandson Tucker Arndt; parents Lester Johnson, Gladys Johnson Sjogren and stepfather Arvid Sjogren; brothers Dwayne Johnson and Arden Johnson; sisters Glenda Johnson and LaDonna Gano; parents-in-law Arthur and Otine Erickson; and brother-in-law Leroy Erickson.

LaVonne is survived by her children:  Sherri (Leon) Nelson of Spicer, MN, Reverend Brenda (Kelly) Arndt of Zumbrota, MN, Randy (Christy) Erickson of  Beardsley, and Tracy Davis of Breckenridge, MN; her grandchildren: Jake Nelson of Spicer, Brandon Nelson (Vanessa Vig) of Fargo, ND, Chelsea (Tylor) Mortenson of Spicer, Josh (Brittany) Arndt and Jordan (Allison) Arndt of Zumbrota, Michaela Erickson (Alex Hardina) of Britton, SD, Rachel Erickson and Wyatt Erickson of Beardsley, and Grant, Rylan and Elliott Davis of Breckenridge; great-grandchildren: Sully, Henry and Isla Nelson; Hazel Mortenson; Sawyer and Mckinlee Arndt; and Jackson and Avery Arndt.  She is also survived by six brothers and sisters: Reverend Lonnie (Kathy) Johnson of Oneida, WI, Joan (Reverend Dan) McGraw of Cheyenne, WY, Bonnie Voelsch of Watertown, SD, Judy (Myron) Moen of Brookings, SD, Linda Halling of Watertown, and Donnie Johnson of Watertown; sister-in law Berdine Johnson of Cokato, MN;  sister-in law Shirley Johnson of Beardsley; brother-in-law Jerry Gano of Hill City, KS; and brother-in-law Norman (Carol Lee) Erickson of Beardsley.