Funeral services for LaVon Stewart, of Albert Lea, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Grace Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Todd Walsh will officiate. Visitation will be held Friday evening from 4 to 8 p.m. at Bonnerup Funeral Service and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery.

LaVon died Saturday, July 9, 2011, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea. She was 83 years of age.

LaVon was born Aug. 20, 1927, in Storden, the daughter of Adolph and Elda Peterson. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church in Storden. In her younger years she was active in 4-H and the church choir. She then graduated from Storden High School in 1944 and attended St. Olaf College for one year. She continued her education at Mankato State College where she obtained her two year elementary education teaching degree in 1946.

On Aug. 27, 1946, she was united in marriage to Philip Stewart at Bethany Lutheran Church in Storden. Following World War II, LaVon taught elementary school for one year in Worthington. She worked for Northern Ordnance in Minneapolis and then taught school for one year in what is now Roseville.

LaVon and Phil moved to Albert Lea, where she was a homemaker and raised her children, David and Sharon. She was active in her church Bible Study circle, served as the director of the children’s choir for several years, sang in the adult choir for many years and was a soloist for weddings and funerals.

LaVon was active in the Hawthorne PTA, Civic Music and in bowling leagues. She enjoyed sewing and playing cards. Most of all, LaVon’s greatest joy was her family.

As her children became older, LaVon continued her education at Mankato State College where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in teaching and later her master’s degree. LaVon taught at Ramsey, Halverson, Lakeview, Brookside and Albert Lea High School. She loved teaching her students. She retired from teaching in 1989. After retirement, LaVon became a licensed insurance professional and was a member of the Albert Lea/Austin Life Underwriters.

LaVon was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Phil; brother, Clair Peterson; sisters: Eldora Comnick and Avis Larson; two nephews and one niece.

Survivors include her son, David, and his wife, Diane, of Arden Hills; daughter, Sharon, and her husband, Mark Kvamme, of Ham Lake; granddaughter, Laura Stewart; grandson, Eric Kvamme, and his wife, Anna; and grandson, Joel Kvamme. She was looking forward to being a great-grandmother in October. Other survivors include several nieces, nephews and many friends.

Special thanks for the wonderful care given by the staffs at St. John’s Lutheran Home, Knutson Place, Mayo Clinic Health System and Dr. Vocal.

LaVon’s kindness and interest in others will always be remembered.