A Mass of Christian Burial for LaVonne O'Connor, age 88 of Lakefield, will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, October 13th at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lakefield. Burial will be held in the St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Lakefield.

A rosary prayer service for LaVonne will be held on Sunday, October 12th at 5:30 PM followed by a visitation for LaVonne from 6 to 8 PM at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lakefield. Visitation will continue Monday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lakefield for one hour prior to the funeral mass, from 9:30 to 10:30 AM.

LaVonne passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 2nd, surrounded by her family, at her home in Lakefield.

LaVonne Lucille (Schnieder) O'Connor was born August 4, 1937, in Lismore, Minnesota to the late Theodore Charles and Caroline Josephine (Hullerman) Schneider. She attended Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School and Heron Lake Public High School, graduating with the Class of 1955. LaVonne then studied at the College of St. Benedict where she earned a BA degree in Home Economics Education.

She was united in marriage to William Thomas O'Connor on June 13, 1959, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Heron Lake. LaVonne and William "Bill" were blessed with six children. LaVonne's teaching career started in Newell, South Dakota, moving to Lakefield after one year. While raising her children, LaVonne substitute taught at Lakefield High School. She later worked at Jackson County Central schools as a paraprofessional for many years after her children completed college.

A strong Catholic faith guided LaVonne to be patient, kind, and quietly wise. Through her calming presence and heart-centered warm hugs, she taught her family how to love. She shared similar traits with her father and was truly her father's daughter.

Traditions were important to LaVonne, which included fun-filled family dinners, gatherings, and sewing marathons before special occasions. Like her mother, LaVonne was a gifted and creative seamstress, making many wedding, bridesmaid, and prom dresses; as well as Halloween costumes and countless other special outfits for herself and others.

LaVonne was a longtime, dedicated member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lakefield. She was a member of the Council of Catholic Women, where she served in leadership positions at both the parish and diocesan levels. She contributed to funeral meals, the parish newsletter, and taught CCD classes among other volunteer activities. She was also active with Home Ec. Club and taught all her children to sew, mend and create clothes.

On Thursday, October 2nd, 2025, LaVonne peacefully passed away in her home surrounded by her family at the age of 88.

LaVonne is survived by her husband of 66 years, Bill O'Connor; children, Peg (Tim) Tressel of Thousand Oaks, CA and their children, Josie, Ellie (Dave Hollis) and John; Joan (Paul) Goossens of Duluth and their children, Sean (Kayden Norwood), Luke (Allison Pribnow) and Jude; daughter-in-law, Lori O'Connor of Jackson and her children, Jared and Kayla (Cole Hansen); Dan O'Connor of North Mankato and his children, Calvin and Courtney; Sue (Denny) Schommer of New Ulm and their children, Mark, Emily, and Matt; Barb (Al) Grube of Cottonwood and their children, Caroline (Clay) Newton, Elizabeth (Kyle Shevich) and William; sister, Avis Page of Prior Lake; sister-in-law, Patricia Bezdicek of Pullman, WA; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

LaVonne is preceded in death by her parents; son, John O'Connor; siblings and their spouses: Eunice & Hank Bauman, Mary & Bob Henkels, Jim & Elaine Schneider, Chris & Stan Yetzer; and brothers-in-law, Bob Page and Dave Bezdicek.

Special thanks to Brittany, Lacey, Rickie Lee, Maddie and the entire Avera Home Hospice team; and Fr. Dharma, Kathy Vrchota, and the homebound Eucharistic Ministers of St. Joseph's parish.

Blessed be the Memory of LaVonne O'Connor.