She was born on May 15, 1937 to the parents of Walter and Elsie (Reed) Bergstrom. LaVona grew up on her family's farm north of May Day, KS.
After graduating from Green High School, she joined the Women's Army Corps and was stationed at Presidio of San Francisco, CA.
On December 24, 1955 at Parks Air Force Base in Oakland, CA, she married Norman Dean Francis. LaVona and Norman moved to Spokane, WA where Norman was stationed until he was honorably discharged from the Air Force. They then returned to Kansas where they shared 61 loving years together before he preceded her in death on August 29, 2017.
LaVona influenced many lives through various jobs and activities. Her employment endeavors included KP&L, owning and operating Tuttle Creek Restaurant of Randolph, SRS, Kansas State University, and the KSU Foundation.
LaVona was actively involved in her community and volunteered much of her time helping and serving others. She was especially passionate about serving on the Board of Directors for the Leonardville Nursing Home. As a loyal member of the Randolph United Methodist Church, LaVona served as the Church Treasurer for many years, was active in the ladies' UMW group, and participated in several other church activities. LaVona was also a longtime member of the VFW 1786 Auxiliary. In addition, she volunteered at the Riley County Senior Center and was involved with the Randolph Senior Center.
LaVona will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother (Gigi), and friend. She was a true matriarch who had a devout love for God, her husband, and her family. She walked in faith and service in everything that she did.
She is survived by five children, 13 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
LaVona is also survived by one brother, one brother-in-law, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister Rosie (Bergstrom) Reed.
Respect calls may be made from 9:00 a.m until 6:00 p.m. Thursday, June 16, 2022 at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home in Riley, KS. The family will not be present.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, June 17, 2022 at the Randolph United Methodist Church officiated by Pastor Bruce Ferguson accompanied by Pastor Sandy Ferguson and Chaplain Kelly Pittman. There will be a luncheon immediately following the funeral service at the church. A private family burial will be in the Randolph Fancy Creek Cemetery.
Obit provided by Contributor: Dub (47099170)
She was born on May 15, 1937 to the parents of Walter and Elsie (Reed) Bergstrom. LaVona grew up on her family's farm north of May Day, KS.
After graduating from Green High School, she joined the Women's Army Corps and was stationed at Presidio of San Francisco, CA.
On December 24, 1955 at Parks Air Force Base in Oakland, CA, she married Norman Dean Francis. LaVona and Norman moved to Spokane, WA where Norman was stationed until he was honorably discharged from the Air Force. They then returned to Kansas where they shared 61 loving years together before he preceded her in death on August 29, 2017.
LaVona influenced many lives through various jobs and activities. Her employment endeavors included KP&L, owning and operating Tuttle Creek Restaurant of Randolph, SRS, Kansas State University, and the KSU Foundation.
LaVona was actively involved in her community and volunteered much of her time helping and serving others. She was especially passionate about serving on the Board of Directors for the Leonardville Nursing Home. As a loyal member of the Randolph United Methodist Church, LaVona served as the Church Treasurer for many years, was active in the ladies' UMW group, and participated in several other church activities. LaVona was also a longtime member of the VFW 1786 Auxiliary. In addition, she volunteered at the Riley County Senior Center and was involved with the Randolph Senior Center.
LaVona will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother (Gigi), and friend. She was a true matriarch who had a devout love for God, her husband, and her family. She walked in faith and service in everything that she did.
She is survived by five children, 13 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
LaVona is also survived by one brother, one brother-in-law, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister Rosie (Bergstrom) Reed.
Respect calls may be made from 9:00 a.m until 6:00 p.m. Thursday, June 16, 2022 at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home in Riley, KS. The family will not be present.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, June 17, 2022 at the Randolph United Methodist Church officiated by Pastor Bruce Ferguson accompanied by Pastor Sandy Ferguson and Chaplain Kelly Pittman. There will be a luncheon immediately following the funeral service at the church. A private family burial will be in the Randolph Fancy Creek Cemetery.
Obit provided by Contributor: Dub (47099170)
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