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Guestbook Comments
Posted at: 1/25/2006 5:40 PM
By: Karen Manatt Wall
My sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Lavonne. She will always be in my thoughts and prayers. Lavonne was a wonderful person and a highly competant professional. I remember her with love and admiration from our nursing school days. She is deeply missed. Love, Karen
Posted at: 1/17/2006 12:38 AM
By: Pete and Christine Benitez
Dear Dana, Tony, Audrey, and Benjamin, We were very sad to hear about the loss of your mom. We want you to know that we are thinking about you during this difficult time.You are in our prayers, and we hope that you can find comfort and strength in all your memories of her. With love and sympathy, Pete, Christine, Aneliese and Alex benitez@ameritech.net
Posted at: 1/14/2006 4:04 PM
By: Marva Abel
Dear Carolyn, Dana, and family, I first met Lavonne when I was an RN student and apprehensive about making the course set before me. Lavonne was very supportive and positive. I was later to be a nursing assistant as she led our course, Nursing II. Again, she was a calm, positive force guiding so many faculty and so many ideas. She truly gave of herself in caring for her students so they could care for others. My sincere sympathies, Marva Abel
Posted at: 1/13/2006 2:22 PM
By: Mike and Pat Vazzana
We want to express our most sincere condolences during this very difficult time. May you be comforted in knowing that Lavonne now lives in a new spirit, residing with God and our many loves ones that have gone before us. It is our love of Jesus that allows us to live from day to day, but it is our trust in Him that gets us through these difficult times.
Posted at: 1/13/2006 12:53 PM
By: Joyce Erickson Bryan
Dear Carolyn, Dana and family, I knew and admired Yavonne while working with her during my tenure in Continuing Education in the late 70's early 80's. I'm sure her admiration of you Dana only grew as you did. She was a wonderful asset to her profession and a friend to anyone who had the privilege of knowing her. My sincere sympathy to you. You have lost a great friend.
Sincerely, Joyce
Posted at: 1/12/2006 10:37 PM
By: Sheila
The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord, Oh, Lord, save me! .....For you, Oh Lord, have delivered my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling that I may walk before the Lord in the land of living. Psalm 116, selections
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Dana, I pray for your strength in your days of mourning and I pray that one day, you will feel peace, new days with new hopes. I pray for your openness to the comforts of Tony's arms and the blissful childhood laughter of Audrey...and Benjamin.
I am shedding tears with you, right now, over the loss of your Mom, Lavonne. Oh, how the Heavens are singing having welcomed such a beautiful soul!! I was always amazed by her benevolent nature to the nursing profession, her graciousness to me and all of us teenagers back in our days at ICCHS, her courage raising you and her overall strength. Lavonne is a rare and precious person indeed.
I remember her pink glass collection in the kitchen and whenever I was blessed with the opportunity to visit, there was Lavonne with something new to share, something she had just sewn, there in the upstairs den, in celebration of others.
I will be intouch with you at a later date, offline.
Love, Sheila
Posted at: 1/12/2006 5:11 PM
By: Pat Nelson
To Carolyn and other members of Lavonne's family, You have my heartfelt sympathy. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Lavonne was such a nice person to work with at the College of Nursing. I admired the way she was so organized, efficient, and easy going. She was just a joy to work with in Iowa City and later during phone meetings planning each summer for the Distance Education RN-BSN Health Assessment course. I miss those days with Lavonne and Carolyn. I would like to send a warm hug to Carolyn. I cannot attend the funeral service as my daughter is having surgery Friday. Sincerely, Pat Nelson
Posted at: 1/12/2006 3:59 PM
By: The Princess Bible Study
Dana and Tony,
We are all saddened by your loss. Know that you are close in our hearts and pray you feel God's arms around you now. Sincerely, Your Kirksville Bible Study Group
Posted at: 1/12/2006 2:01 PM
By: Sally Mathis Hartwig
To Lavonne's family; I am so saddened by Lavonne's death. I remember her fondly, first because she grew up in Boxholm and I grew up in Dayton. We had a kinship right there. Secondly, I've enjoyed a partnership with her through the College of Nursing for the many years I served as Director of Nursing at the UIHC. Lavonne had a gentleness about her that inspired students to learn. She was totally dedicated to her teaching and to the patients we serve; she was a great role model.I send my sympathies to you, her family. She will be greatly missed. Fondly, Sally
Posted at: 1/12/2006 1:53 PM
By: Jen Koviach
My deepest sympathy to everyone who knew Lavonne, especially Dana, Tony, Audrey, Benjamin, and Carolyn. I knew Lavonne when I was in high school with Dana. I knew Lavonne better than most of my friends'parents, since she gave me a ride home from school on most days, and I spent many afternoons in the basement with Dana. Even as a teenager, I had great respect and admiration for her. She is one of those truly good people, and even though I haven't seen her in many years, I will still miss her.
Posted at: 1/12/2006 12:52 PM
By: Mike, Johanna, Nick, Anna, Benjamin & Sofia
We are all saddened by this world's loss of Lavonne. We will continue to keep Dana, Tony and the rest of her family in our prayers. Blessings from the Vazzanas
Posted at: 1/12/2006 10:52 AM
By: James Guffey
I am very sorry for your loss. I pray for comfort and strength during this time.
Posted at: 1/12/2006 10:44 AM
By: Lanny Morley
I pray that God will bless and strengthen you and that your family and friends will support you during this difficult time.
Posted at: 1/12/2006 10:05 AM
By: Eric and Debbie Vazzana
Tony and Dana
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very sad time. Let's turn our sadness into reassuring thoughts that Lavonne is in a much better place right now. May God rest her soul.
Posted at: 1/11/2006 11:30 PM
By: Emily Winegar
Dear Ruther Family, This is Emily Winegar, Carolyn Crowell's niece. I have SO many memories of Lavonne! We always felt we had 3 Iowa City aunts. Lavonne and Sheryl and of course Aunt Carolyn! What a crew and blessing.
Dana and Lavonne are family to us. Instead of focusing on the sad loss, I'd rather share a few happy memories:) I remember Lavonne making me a Cabbage Patch Kid back in the '80's when they were so hard to come by. My mom could not get one for me and Lavonne made one for me for a surprise. I remember that day like it was yesterday. The doll was Katie Emma and wore a light purple dress since Lavonne knew it was my favorite color. I still have her and I like to brag I have the PREMIERE cabbage patch doll...the first of Lavonne's creations. Complete with birth certificate, diaper,etc.
Just another quick memory, and I don't know why I remember this, maybe because it reminds me of Lavonne's special kindness and gentleness and how laid back she always was. I remember a fish fry in Davenport. Dana and Amy and I were playing in the basement and I was trying to throw a baton to Dana for her to catch...well, it hit her in the head instead, hard too. Everyone was yelling at me and wondering why I threw it at Dana. I just remember Lavonne sitting there calmly and not saying a word. Bless her heart! (Dana still probably has the bump on her head...sorry about that Dana again if you remember:) heehee...
Love and prayers for you all!! Emily
Posted at: 1/11/2006 9:39 PM
By: Sandy Wray
My deepest sympathy to all family and friends of Lavonne. I have fond memories of Lavonne at our large family get togethers in Boxholm and especially the times that she spent with our family in Marshalltown during her nursing school days. She was instrumental in helping me obtain a Girl Scout badge by arranging for me to work in the Marshalltown Nursing College Library. Lavonne was always smiling, giggling, interested in others lives, and portrayed an envionable yet humble confidence. She will be missed by all who knew her. Please don't forget that we will all be together again. You are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless, Sandy
Posted at: 1/11/2006 9:22 PM
By: Phyllis Heffron
I forgot to addmy email. It is Phyllishefrron @aol.com
Posted at: 1/11/2006 9:16 PM
By: Phyllis Heffron, RN
Dear Carolyn and Lavonne's Family; I am so very sorry to hear of Lavonne's passing and send my sympathy to all of you. Lavonne was a special person (along with Carolyn) when I first started on the faculty at the College of Nursing. She helped me understand what was expected of me in the Health Assessment COurse and was ALWAYS there to help and guide me. Jean King and I , along with Mary Wiltse and later, Pat Nelson, appreciated all the help and wonderful support we got unconditionally from Lavonne. My prayers for all of you and love, Phyllis Heffron (former UI Faculty member)
Posted at: 1/11/2006 9:12 PM
By: Nicole Keller and James Bush
Dana and Tony: Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May your grief become easier to bear in the days ahead. Nicole and James
Posted at: 1/11/2006 5:06 PM
By: Becky Karagan and Daren Binfield
Dana, Carolyn,and Sheryl, I am so sorry for your loss. I so admired Lavonne and the way she faced her illness with bravery and grace. She helped me deal with my own chronic illness in so many ways. I wish more than anything that I could be there with all of you. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all. I hope mom and Lavonne and Annette all had coffee together today.
Becky and Daren
Posted at: 1/11/2006 4:18 PM
By: Evelyn Benda Moore
Dear Carolyn and Dana-
I can't believe what I read in the morning paper, Lavonne was only 63, 63 year olds don't die of pneumonia.
You both have my sympathy. Lavonne was a wonderful mentor to me in many ways. Dana, she taught me in medical surgical nursing when you were a baby. What a role model she was, a single parent, (and I had a small child at the time) who looked so wonderful and professional in her white uniform, I wanted to be just like her. She was a breath of fresh air when I went to 3 South, her unit, I was part of a class that rotated every two weeks for a total of six times in Med Surg and this was nerve wracking but she was so calm.
Later I taught with her in Nursing II, she was the course coordinator. She encouraged me to aspire to that postition when she resigned. When I had a stillborn baby, she called me and talked to me when many were uncomfortable doing that. When my daughter Erin was born and in the NICU, she arranged for me to have really good maternity leave, as she understood how important a baby girl is to a mother. Later when I was let go from the College because I hadn't managed to earn my PhD in six years, she was again supportive and encouraged me to continue my education.
There is a special place in heaven for Lavonne, she was a genuinely good person who tried to right wrongs, who knew what was good and what wasn't, what was fair and what wasn't. She made a legacy in all of the many students whose careers she impacted,
I am so sorry, God Speed.
Posted at: 1/11/2006 12:29 PM
By: Amy Winegar
Dear Dana and Family, I remember you and Lavonne as part of our family; all of the holidays and special occasions that were spent together will always be cherished. It was always such fun to play in Lavonne’s basement. A fond memory was roller-skating together before the carpet was put in. I still have my Cabbage Patch doll that Lavonne so proudly made. There are many memories of porch parties and playing outside in Aunt Carolyn and Lavonne’s back yards while growing up. Do you remember the laughing contests Dana? And we can’t forget the etiquette parties too. I remember Lavonne always with a smile. I am so sorry for your loss.
Posted at: 1/11/2006 12:01 PM
By: Craig & Rosalie Russell
Our sympathy to all of the family and friends. Lavonne was a special person and I always remember our fun family times at her parent's farm near Boxholm. We have everyone in our prayers. Cherish all the memories.
Posted at: 1/11/2006 11:29 AM
By: Keith Klingler & Maura Stevenson
Dana and Tony, We are truly sorry for your loss -- you mother was a wonderful woman and I know she will be missed. We wish we could be there in person, but please know are thoughts and prayers are with your family. Let us know if there is anything we can do.
Love, Keith & Maura
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