LaVonne Lilly Gades passed away on June 8, 2026, in Hastings, MN.

She was born to Elnora and Leonard Lange on February 23, 1943, in Clarkfield, MN.  She graduated from Clarkfield High School in 1961.  She studied at Augsburg College for one year and then transferred to Mankato State where she earned a B.S. in elementary education.

LaVonne married Sandy Gades on November 27, 1965, in Clarkfield, MN.  They lived in Appleton, Osakis, and New Ulm each for a year where she taught school.  They then moved to the Twin Cities where LaVonne was a teacher in Lakeville, teaching fourth grade for thirty years and subbing for eleven after that.  She loved teaching and the kids.

In 1979 they adopted their son, Keith, who was a joy.  They spent winters in Texas beginning in 2001, first on South Padre Island in a motor home and then at Sunshine Country Club estates in Harlingen, Texas, in three different purchased homes, building the second one.  They sold the last home in 2023 and decided to live full time in MN.

LaVonne enjoyed reading, playing cards, jigsaw puzzles, and gardening.

LaVonne is survived by her husband Sandy, son Keith (Elizabeth) and grandsons Mason Gades, Dominic Johnson, Dylan Johnson, sister-in-law Diane Lange, and nephews Rodney and Jared Lange.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Elnora Lange and brother Elroy Lange.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 1:00 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, 600 Walnut St., Farmington, MN.

Visitation one hour prior to service, at 12:00 pm.