LaVonne Marles Severson

La Vonne Marles Severson
Des Moines, Iowa

LaVonne Marles Severson, aged 93, passed away surrounded by her family at her home in Ankeny on October 14, 2024. Private interment will be at a later date; no services will be held. Memorials are preferred to the Iowa Center for the Blind or Unity Point Hospice.

Born at home in Belview Township on December 7, 1930 to Alma Mildred Irene (Lindstrom) and Melvin Crawford, LaVonne attended Pocahontas Schools, graduating in 1948. She married James E. Severson and raised seven children on a farm at the edge of Pocahontas. LaVonne operated the Chuckwagon Cafe in Rolfe, Iowa, and worked in hospital and school food services.

Beyond her family life, LaVonne enjoyed knitting, gardening, golfing, playing cards, bowling and traveling. She was a lifelong Cubs fan, listening to most games on the radio. Her favorite trips included Wrigley Field, Scandinavia, Canada, Alaska and Panama Canal cruises, CO, HI, and many trips to CA.

Prior to losing her sight to Macular Degeneration in 1998, LaVonne lived in Pocahontas and wintered in AZ. She relocated to Des Moines and lived independently until moving to Ankeny in 2020, where she cherished support from her family, especially Ivan the lap dog and her Granny Nanny, granddaughter Katie Streff.

LaVonne was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who treasured her family. She is survived by: Sharon Severson of Ankeny, Kathryn (Gene) DeJong of Ankeny, Robert Severson of Pocahontas, Connie (Mike) Nedved of Moravia, Jerry Severson of Pocahontas, Randal (Melissa Briggs) Severson of Mt. Vernon MO, and Coleen (Jeff Johnson) Severson of El Dorado CA. She was a proud grandmother to Eric (Rilee Ajiri) Nedved, Chad(Stephanie) Nedved, Katie (John) Streff, Dana (Brent) DeJong Boots, Amber DeJong, Carmen DeJong, Charles (Ashley) Severson, Victoria (Casey) Leeper, Jeremy (Kelsey) Severson, Brandy Andersen, Tyler Severson, and great-grandmother to Jackson, Allie, and Henry Nedved, Kayla and Kirsten Nedved, Tayler and Hannah Grall, Ethan DeJong Boots, Wrenley Severson, Carlee LaVonne Leeper, Kadyn, Toryn, Jevyn, and Mailyn Severson, Sadie Andersen, Gracie and Kylar Sisson. She also leaves behind her sister-in-law Donna Crawford and niece Marsha Sliter.

LaVonne was preceded in death by her husband; her brother, Floyd Marlo Crawford; her nephew, Mark Douglas Crawford; and her mother, Irene (Lindstrom) Sexton.

No services are planned at this time.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com

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