Lavone Carlson

Lavone M. Carlson, age 94, of Glen Rose, TX, formerly Stephen & Hastings, MN, passed away November 24, 2012.Lavone Menoma Swanson was born October 29, 1918 in Crookston, MN to parents John (Jack) and Rose Swanson. She grew up on the farm in Sinnott Township where she attended Donnelly School. In 1931 the family moved into the small town of Stephen. She attended Stephen High School graduating with the Class of 1935. On November 3, 1940 she married John Beaven (JB) Carlson at First Lutheran Church in Stephen. Two daughters, Sharon and Ardith (Ardy) completed her family. Lavone was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, November 24, 2012 from her earthly abode at Cherokee Rose Nursing & Rehab in Glen Rose, TX. Funeral services will be Friday, November 30 at 1 pm at Our Saviour’s Luthern Church, 400 W. 9th St. in Hastings, MN with a visitation 1 hour prior to the funeral at church. Burial following in Fairview Cemetery, Stillwater, MN.On her Confirmation Day in 1933, Lavone knelt at the altar and prayed, “Take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord to thee”. She lived out her life fulfilling that promise and served her Lord and Savior in many ways. She starting teaching Sunday School at an early age at First Lutheran and continued teaching and leading Bible Studies, or in later years attending classes, in all the churches she attended. She was Jr & Sr choir director at First Lutheran for many years and she and her husband were the church janitors for 14 years. God gave Lavone (and her mother, Rose) the gift of being a wonderful seamstress. She made many a cheerleaders outfit, prom dresses and wedding dresses and formals for many in the area – all from a picture or sketch they brought to her. Times were not easy and her low charges for her creations made great clothing affordable. In later years, she became known in the Twin Cities area for her drapery making skills. She continued using this God given talent in later years, making quilts for overseas missions, the homeless and family service centers in the Minneapolis area and when she was in her 90’s – quilts for the wounded soldiers in Texas. She served God with her talents and with her love and compassion for those around her. Lavone lived most of her life in Stephen, but she and her husband moved to Minneapolis, MN in 1963 where they managed a group of apartment buildings – and watched their grandchildren grow up. Beaven died in 1980 and shortly thereafter, Lavone moved to Hastings, MN where daughter Ardy and family lived. She lived there until 2004 when she moved to Glen Rose, TX where she lived with daughter and son-in-law Sharon and Lee Sundby. Lavone prayed to live long enough to attend her 75th High School Reunion where she gave a speech encouraging all attending to continue on with the 5 Year Reunions. Shortly after that trip, she became a resident of Cherokee Rose Nursing & Rehab where she was living when she passed away.Lavone was preceded in death by her parents, sister Ruby Ramberg and infant siblings, Donna Mae and John Harlan. Left to mourn her passing, but rejoicing in her new heavenly mansion are her brother James and wife Bonnie Swanson of Austin, TX, daughters Sharon and husband LeRoy (Lee) Sundby of Glen Rose, TX and daughter Ardith (Ardy) and husband Allan Ness of Hot Springs Village, ARK. Grandchildren include Kevin Sundby and children Kyle, Korey, Joshua,& Kaitlyn of Stephen, MN; Janelle & Kent Lacey and daughters Shelby & Natalie of Glen Rose, TX; Scott & Suzanne Sundby and daughters Samantha and Lindsay of Cannon Falls, MN; Alayna Ness of Roanoke, VA and Austin Ness of Hot Springs Village, ARK as well as many extended family and friends. Her favorite Bible verse: “To me to live is Christ; and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21