LaVon VonSpreckelsen

July 3, 1935 ~ June 11, 2023

Beloved mother LaVon Joyce (Barnes) VonSpreckelsen, 87, formerly of Clay Center, passed away June 11, 2023, at The Heritage at College View in Hastings, NE. She resided there for five years following a stroke.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m., Friday, June 16, 2023, at the Clay Center Christian Church, with Rev. Arick Johanson officiating. Interment will follow at the Clay Center Cemetery in Clay Center. Visitation with the family present will be Thursday, from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m., at the Clay Center Christian Church in Clay Center. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Clay Center Christian Church or to the Pibel Bible Camp. Condolences may be left at www. mclaughlinchapel.com. LaVon was born July 3, 1935, to Jesse and Bernece (Dunkle) Barnes at their home southeast of Fairfield. She was blessed to have a sister seven years younger, Loretta (Barnes) Saddler, and a brother 14 years younger, Edward Barnes. She enjoyed sharing the story of Loretta and her going to church during a February snowstorm and returning home to a baby brother.

She attended the Clay Center Public School and graduated with the class of 1953. While in high school, she dated Bob (Robert) VonSpreckelsen who was 8 years her senior. They married Jan. 3, 1954, at the Clay Center Christian Church. They were blessed with their first son, Merle August, on Jan. 1, 1956. Lyle Dean, their second son, arrived Nov. 14, 1957. Scot Alan completed the family on April 6, 1963.

LaVon was a lifelong member of the Clay Center Christian Church. She had a servant’s heart and taught Sunday School for numerous years, assisted with VBS, played the organ, sang in choir with a harmonious alto voice, belonged to Missionary Circle and offered help where it was needed within the church.

She truly enjoyed making various crafts and sewing. There wasn’t a pair of jeans she couldn’t patch. LaVon was the ideal homemaker tending to her yard and garden, baking cookies and taking meals to those in need. You couldn’t set foot in her door without being offered a glass of tea and a cookie. Later in life, Bob and she were able travel to Australia/ New Zealand, drove to Alaska and enjoyed various other destinations.

LaVon’s greatest joy was her family and time spent with her sons, daughters-in-law, seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She looked forward to every family gathering. LaVon was passionate about her family and loved them deeply. She lovingly babysat each of her grandchildren and always had time to play a game or teach them a craft.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Merle; sister, Loretta; sister-in-law, Dorothy (Kluver) VonSpreckelsen and brother-in-law, Dale Livgren.

LaVon is survived by her brother, Ed (Judy) Barnes; sons, Lyle (Peggy) VonSpreckelsen and Scot (Robyn) Von-Spreckelsen of Clay Center; grandchildren, Eric (Bridget) VonSpreckelsen; Justin (Amy) VonSpreckelsen; Steven (Britney) VonSpreckelsen; Michelle (Tyler) Page; Jesse (Josey) VonSpreckelsen; Bethany VonSpreckelsen and fiancé Myles Carlson and Samuel VonSpreckelsen; eight great-granddaughters and six great-grandsons. She will be missed by many nephews, nieces, sister-in-law, Ruth (Von-Spreckelsen) Livgren and brothers-in-law, Ron Saddler and Bert VonSpreckelsen.