October 15, 1933 - February 5, 2016

 

Lavonne Gorder
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Lavonne Margaret Gorder 82 year old resident of St. Cloud, passed away on Friday February 5, 2016 at Country Manor Long Term Care Facility in Sartell, MN. Funeral Services will be on Saturday February 13th at 1:30p.m. Pastor Duane Semmler will officiate. Burial will be at the Minnesota Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls. Friends and Family may call on Saturday February 13th two hours prior to service. Williams Dingmann Funeral Home of St. Cloud will be handling the cremation.

LaVonne was born on October 15, 1933, in Montevideo, MN, to Elmer and Lillie (Stavne) Hansen. She was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Sacred Heart, MN. She grew up on the family farm north of Sacred Heart and attended grade school at the Renville County School Dist. # 98, eventually graduating from Sacred Heart High School in 1951. LaVonne went on to graduate from the Chas A. Miller Hospital School of Nursing in January of 1953 and was first employed at the Murray County Hospital in Slayton, MN from 1953-1954.

LaVonne was united in marriage to John "Jack" Elroy Gorder, on Sept.5, 1953 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Sacred Heart, MN. She joined her husband in Boston, MA and then Norfolk, VA during his last years in the Navy. LaVonne, Jack and their two sons, Kevin and Brian, finally moved to St. Cloud in 1964 where they settled. LaVonne also worked as an LPN at Granite Falls Manor Nursing Home and the Granite Falls Hospital in Granite Falls, MN. She enjoyed working with her patients and loved being a nurse, often telling fond stories from her nursing days. LaVonne was a member of Atonement Lutheran Church since 1965 and a member of the Elizabeth Circle.

LaVonne, who earned the nickname "Hansie", in her freshman year, enjoyed being with her lifelong partner and husband of 62 years and reveled in taking care of him and her family, until she wasn't able to anymore. She loved to listen to music, including classical and big band styles, and adored Elvis Presley and watching her favorite sitcoms and westerns on television. She also loved sketching Hollywood stars in beautiful dresses and collecting "Movie Stars" autographs in the early years before losing her sight to macular cornea dystrophy. LaVonne cherished her family and especially loved to see her great -grandchildren when they stopped in to visit. She took pleasure in their effervescence and enjoyed listening to their voices as they played nearby. LaVonne loved life and fought a courageous battle, and her legacy lives on in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

LaVonne is survived by her husband John "Jack" and their two sons Kevin (Diane Carol) of St. Cloud and Brian and (Diane Lynn) of Sartell, MN; brother Dean Hansen of Big Lake, MN; 6 grandchildren: Amanda (SgtMaj Anthony) Easton of Farmington, MN, John (Laura) Gorder of St. Cloud, Eric Gorder of St. Cloud, Angela Gorder of St. Cloud, Jeremiah Gorder of St. Cloud and Benjamin Gorder of Milwaukee, WI; and 4 great-Grand children: Moira Easton and Gabrielle, Aiden and Owen Gorder and many nieces and nephews.

LaVonne was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Lillie (Stavne) Hansen.

Memorials are preferred to the Wounded Warriors Foundation and the Disabled American Veterans in lieu of flowers. This request is made by LaVonne in honor of her husband Jack.

A sincere and grateful Thank-you to all the staff at Country Manor Health Care Facility, for making the final moments of LaVonne's life peaceful and very comforting for our family when we needed it most.

 

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