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1939 Lavonne 2023

Lavonne Miller

August 19, 1939 — February 21, 2023

LaVonne Marilyn Miller, a longtime resident of Persia, IA, passed away February 21st, 2023.


LaVonne was born on August 19, 1939 to Robert and Alvira (Gramkow) Janssen in Portsmouth, IA. As a child she attended school in rural Persia, and graduated from Persia High School in 1957. After graduation, LaVonne married the love of her life, Wayne Miller another resident of Persia. They were married on December 24th 1957, and soon moved to live and work on LaVonne’s grandparents’ farm.


For the next 20 years, LaVonne was a hard-working farm wife and raised her and Wayne’s two daughters. She loved gardening and spending time with family and friends. In 1979, they built a house in Persia, and moved off the farm. This home LaVonne and Wayne built is where they would live for the next 41 years. After leaving farm life in 1980, LaVonne went to work for Empire Fire and Marine Insurance Company in Omaha, NE until her retirement in 2001. LaVonne was a member of Saint John Lutheran Church in Council Bluffs.


LaVonne and Wayne loved to travel, making it to 48 states, and several different countries. Throughout the years, they loved to camp with family and friends. They spent some years as snowbirds in Apache Junction, AZ where they made new friends and enjoyed the warm weather. It was during this time that she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and their travels became closer to home.


She loved playing cards, having coffee with friends, and doing crossword puzzles. Her home was full of the various craft projects she’d picked up throughout the years including embroidery, ceramics, and woodworking with Wayne. She loved seeing her family and making them great meals, or creating beautiful cakes for their special occasions. LaVonne also loved planting her flowers each spring and could often be found out in her vegetable garden throughout the summer. Her family loved when she would harvest things like strawberries and rhubarb to make pies and jams. Like any good Grandmother, she always made sure any guest left feeling happy and full.


LaVonne is preceded in death by beloved husband of 62 years, Wayne, her parents, Robert & Alvira Janssen, and sister, Beverly Phillips. She is survived by her two daughters, Debra Ingwersen of Bennington, NE. Marilyn (Lenny) Burke of Bellevue, NE. Grandchildren Michaela Burke, Belleuve, Aaron Burke (Christine Miller), Omaha and Sarah (Tyler) Pokoski of Fort Collins, CO, Brother, Gary (Dawn) Janssen of Ankey, IA, 4 nieces and many cousins.


She will be remembered as a loving wife, nurturing mother, adoring grandmother and caring friend. But most of all, for putting up with Wayne! Whom she loved with all her heart. It brings her family comfort to know they are now eternally reunited.


Visitation is Saturday, February 25, 2023, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., at the Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home. A memorial service will begin at 2:00 p.m., also at the funeral home.


Memorials can be directed to Hillcrest Hospice and St. John’s Lutheran Church. Interment will be at a later date at Valley View Cemetery in Persia.


Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Saturday, February 25, 2023

1:00 - 2:00 pm (Central time)

Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home and Crematory

IA 00000

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Memorial Service

Saturday, February 25, 2023

Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)

Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home and Crematory

1221 North 16th Street, Council Bluffs, IA 51501

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Burial

Valley View at Persia

, IA

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