Lavonne Bernadine Simmons

LaVonne Bernadine Simmons, age 95, of Preston, Iowa, passed away Saturday, September 29, 2018 at Cestridge Nursing Home, Maquoketa, Iowa. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Preston. Burial will be in the Preston Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:30 -11:00 a.m. Wednesday at St. John’s Lutheran Church, prior to the service. Memorials may be made for St. John Lutheran Church or Camp Courageous.

LaVonne was born February 2, 1923, in Preston, Iowa, the daughter of Harry and Luella (Stoecken) Eggers. She graduated from Preston High School with the Class of 1941. On March 1, 1942, LaVonne married Gerald “Tom” Simmons. They celebrated 54 years of marriage until Gerald’s passing.

LaVonne worked at Lucille’s Dry Goods Store in Preston. She later became a homemaker. She was a life-long member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Preston, where she taught Sunday School for many years. LaVonne also was a member of the Rebecca Lodge and the American Legion Auxiliary. She was a avid Bridge and 500 player. She liked to play bingo.

LaVonne will be dearly missed by her daughter, RuthAnn (Ray) Kleinow of Monticello, Iowa; two sons, Steve (Donna) Simmons of Preston, Iowa and Todd (Debra) Simmons of Spragueville, Iowa; 6 grandchildren, Tammy Koch, Sara Koch-Stanley, Tina Jepsen, Travis (Colleen) Simmons, Kyle (Megan) Simmons and Lance Simmons; and 7 great-grandchildren, Lydia and Carson Stanley, Mackenzie Jepsen, Carson, Isaac and Caitlin Simmons, and Bryant Simmons. LaVonne is preceded in death by her parents Harry and Luella, husband Gerald “Tom”, sister Lucille Miller, and son-in-law John Koch.