| LaVonne Kay Hansen |
LaVonne Kay Hansen was born on August 28, 1939, to Alvin and Alice Layher, on the family farm north of St. Paul and passed away on February 20, 2025 at her home in Seward.
LaVonne was united in marriage to Arthur “Art” Hansen on July 16, 1955. Together, they had five sons. The family resided in St. Paul, St. Libory, and Grand Island for many years. Fond memories were made on numerous family vacations driving to their destinations in their International Travelall that fit the entire family and always included extended family members, too. Art, tragically passed away at forty years of age, leaving LaVonne to raise and provide for her boys the best she could.
LaVonne waitressed for thirty-five years at Dreisbach’s Steakhouse making lifelong friends with co-workers whom she enjoyed going on many cruises with. LaVonne loved playing Keno (lucky numbers 8-28-39), going to the casinos, and the horse races. She played many hands of pitch and knock poker with her family. LaVonne enjoyed watching football and cheering for her Cornhuskers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
LaVonne loved attending her kids’ and grandkids’ activities, and, if she wasn’t able to attend, she wanted to hear all about them. LaVonne was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Grand Island. After retirement, she moved to Seward to be close to her family and attended St. Vincent Catholic Church.
LaVonne could always be found in the kitchen alongside her sons sharing her love of preparing food for her family with them and teaching them that everything tastes better when you put love into it. She was able to go on vacations with her sons and their families many times. LaVonne particularly loved her great grandkids and always wanted to hold those babies!
Survivors cherishing her memory are Mike (Anne) Hansen, Tim (Kay) Hansen, Shawn Hansen, and Todd Hansen all of Seward; daughters- in-law, Cindy Hansen, and Annie Hansen; twelve grandchildren; twenty-six great-grandchildren; sister, Loretta Kowalski; special niece, Kellie (Kevin) Brittain; great-nephew, Zach Brittain; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Art; son, Arthur; parents, Alvin and Alice Layher; sister and brother- in-law, Connie and Wilbur Nielson; brotherin- law, Lawrence Kowalski; and great niece, Chelsie Brittain.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home in Seward. Private family interment will be at Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hansen family for future designations. Condolences may be left at zabkaperduefuneralhome. com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home.
The Phonograph-Herald | February 26, 2025