Lavonne Tunnell

Lavonne Mae (Christiansen) Tunnell was born July 2, 1919, to Lloyd and Alice (Magnet) Christiansen near Moorhead, Iowa. Lavonne graduated from Woodbine Normal School in 1936. Lavonne married Spencer Tunnell on October 13, 1940 in Harlan, Iowa. To this marriage were born three daughters, Barbara, Wanda and Jeri Lou. Lavonne spent her married life being a homemaker to her husband, children and grandchildren. Spencer died in June of 1984. Lavonne lived in their family home for over 60 years, until October of 2007 when she moved to Rose Vista Nursing Home. After moving to the nursing home, her grand-children missed her gifts of peanut butter balls and chocolate chip cookies.

Lavonne was a member of the First Christian Church and she enjoyed helping with all of the church's activities. She loved visiting with family and taking care of her family. She also enjoyed cooking, baking and the weekly coffees with the neighborhood women. Lavonne liked to sew and crochet too.

Lavonne died on Friday, March 20, 2009, at Community Memorial Hospital in Missouri Valley, Iowa at the age of 89 years, eight months, and 18 days.

Lavonne was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Spencer. She is survived by her three daughters, Barbara (Jim) Fortner of Newbern, Tennessee, Wanda (Kenny) Moores of Woodbine, Iowa, Jeri (Steve) Burger of Evansville, Indiana; 10 grandchildren; 16 great grand-children; two great-great grandchildren; special friend and neighbor, Tommie O'Banion; and many other relatives and friends.