Lavonne Marie (Jones) Morse

Lavonne Marie (Jones) Morse passed away on March 14, 2025. Born on November 28, 1926, in Howard County, Iowa, to Margaret and Floyd Jones, Lavonne attended country school until fifth grade, then finished her schooling in Chester, Iowa. She attended Iowa State Teacher’s College and Luther College, then taught elementary school in Chester and Spring Valley, Minn. She married her dentist, Elwin Morse, on June 26, 1949.

Lavonne and Doc spent their entire married life in Spring Valley. They were married for over 51 years. They enjoyed traveling to all 50 states and many foreign countries. In their retirement years, they spent winters at their second home in Sun Lakes, Ariz.

A lifelong member of Methodist churches, Lavonne was very active serving on many committees, singing in the choir, and organizing a children’s choir.

A member of the Order of the Eastern Star since 1949, Lavonne was a past Worthy Matron and organist for 17 years. She was also a member of the Everett H. Hale American Legion Auxiliary since 1951, including serving as president.

Lavonne moved to Friendship Village in Bloomington, Minn., in 2007. She was an original member of the drummers there.

Love for her family and her faith in God were Lavonne’s passions. She also enjoyed reading, baking, playing the piano, traveling, and taking genealogy and painting classes.

Lavonne was the mother of Darla (Gaylord) Paulson, Marilyn Christiansen, and Richard (Mary Kaye) Morse; grandmother of six, and great-grandmother of eight.