LaVonne Gertrude (Roiger) Pautzke, the daughter of Robert and Gertrude (Puchta) Roiger, was born in Springfield, MN on September 10, 1930. She attended school in Springfield and following graduation from Springfield High School, she completed Licensed Practical Nurse training through Franklin Hospital. On November 19, 1949, LaVonne married Edward Pautzke Jr., and they began their life together that would be blessed with five children, many years of hard work and dedication to their community and sharing their faith with others.
Raising their family on the farm, LaVonne cherished her roles as wife, mom, and grandma. Over the years, LaVonne and Ed’s efforts and dedication were honored with being named Brown County’s Outstanding Family in 1987, WCCO’s Farm Family of the Year and they received WCCO’s Good Neighbor Award. LaVonne was community-minded and shared her time and talents as a member of the Eastern Star and the American Legion Auxiliary for over 50 years. Service to others naturally carried over into LaVonne’s faith and in addition to being a member of the United Methodist Church in Springfield, she was junior and senior choir director for over 50 years along with playing the organ and singing for many funerals and weddings, taught Sunday school, and participated in Sarah’s Circle as well as the Springfield Nativity Pageant for 30 years. She also participated in many community plays throughout the years. The Gideon Auxiliary and Clown Ministries were other ways LaVonne valued spending her time and sharing her faith. LaVonne also enjoyed reading and playing the piano and was a great supporter of Ed’s woodworking projects and the finish work he did.
LaVonne is survived by her children, Edward (Becky) Pautzke of Springfield, MN, Jacklynn (Roger) Schmidt of Appleton, MN, Gary (Rosalyn) Pautzke of Northfield, MN, Sheri McGruder of Bloomington, MN, and Connie (George) May of Corcoran, MN; 13 grandchildren; 6 step-grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; one great great-grandson; sister-in-law, Sandy Roiger of Desoto, TX; brothers-in-law, James Pautzke of Northome, MN and Donovan (Jeanne) Pautzke of Northfield, MN; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Pautzke, Jr; parents, Robert and Gertrude Roiger; parents-in-law, Edward G. and Grace Pautzke; brother, Dennis Roiger; brother-in-law, Jack Pautzke; sister and brother-in-law, Jeanne and Andy Magochy; sisters-in-law, Judy Pautzke and Elaine Pautzke; daughter-in-law, Gail Pautzke; son-in-law, Chris McGruder; and great-granddaughter, Kennedy Kells.