Lavonne Marilyn Littlefield

LaVonne Marilyn Littlefield, the daughter of Virgil and Geraldine (Ridgley) Williams, was born November 22, 1929, at her parents’ home in Greeley Township, Audubon County near Exira, Iowa and died May 29, 2019, at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 89 years, 6 months, and 7 days.
LaVonne was baptized at the Federated Church in Exira. She attended Rural school Greeley #8 then graduated from the Exira High School with the Class of 1947. LaVonne graduated from the Business School in Omaha, Nebraska and was employed at Traveler’s Insurance Company for a short time.
On June 9, 1948, she was united in marriage to Harold Leroy Littlefield at her parents’ home northeast Exira. They were blessed with three children Faye Annette, Ted Allen, and Lori Jo. LaVonne helped Harold, who was a Hybrid Seed Corn Breeder, operate Littlefield Hybrids, Inc. where she served as Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and book keeper for the business until they retired in 2000. Along with helping Harold she raised chickens and always had large gardens where she enjoyed canning and freezing the fresh produce and also raised beautiful flowers. She was the typical farm wife of her era, cooking, sewing, and providing for her family.
LaVonne was immersed and became a member of the Exira Christian Church. She was the organist for over 34 years, taught Sunday school and enjoyed working with the youth. She was an active member of the Christian Women’s Fellowship, and was the choir director for many years. LaVonne served on the Board of Directors for both the Exira Care Center and the Exira Chamber of Commerce. She sang in many community choirs and was a supporter and actively involved in many of the school activities. LaVonne and Harold loved to travel and enjoyed camping and hiking with their children in the mountains.
Preceding her in death was her husband Harold L. Littlefield; her parents; her brother and sisters, Maxine and husband Carroll Rusie, Fletcher Williams, Mona and husband James Mackey; her brother-in-law Jack Simonsen; and her nephews Brad Simonsen, and Leslie Mackey.
Survivors include her children Faye and husband Steve Hays of Newark, Ohio, Ted Littlefield and fiancé Sylvia Edwards of Peoria, Arizona, and Lori Littlefield and Dennis Marquart of Waterloo, Iowa; her grandchildren Tracy and husband Tim Rebstock, of Olympia, Washington, Ted and wife Anne Hays of Richfield, Ohio, Tom Hays of Akron, Ohio, Tyler Hays of Orlando, Florida, Terry Lynn Perry of Hoodsport, Washington, Amy and husband Brian Westell of Plymouth, Massachusetts, Douglas and wife Lauren Littlefield of Portland, Oregon, Catherine LaVonne Littlefield and Daniel Klopper of Chandler, Arizona: her four great grandchildren; Katie, Zach, and Lexi Hays of Richfield, Ohio, and Alexis Westell of Plymouth, Massachusetts; her sister Betty Lou Simonsen of Branson, Missouri; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
The family will meet with friends Sunday afternoon, June 2, 2019, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Glen Meyers on Monday, June 3, 2019, at 10:00 A.M. at the Exira Christian Church in Exira, Iowa. Interment will be in the Exira Cemetery in Exira. The honorary casket bearers will be John Asberry, Scott Madsen, Jeff Madsen, Boyd Schlater, David Sleister, Steve Fister, Bill Nelson, Charles Wheeler, Gary Jacobsen, Jed Jensen, Mike Lauritsen, Mark Kessler, Steve Mathisen, and Kelly Paulsen. The casket bearers will be Ted Hays, Tyler Hays, Douglas Littlefield, Tom Hays, Tracy Rebstock, Amy Westell, Catherine LaVonne Littlefield, Terry Lynn Perry, Steve Hays, Dennis Marquart, and Zach Perry.