Lavonne Dusek, 89, Faribault

Lavonne M. Dusek died on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, at the age of 89.

Lavonne was born June 7, 1934, in Kasson, the daughter of Percy and Ruth (Keller) Klampe. She grew up on the family farm and attended grade school in Steele County District 17. She graduated from Owatonna High School in the Class of 1952. She worked at Federated Insurance Company of Owatonna, from the spring of 1952 until the fall of 1953 typing insurance policies for autos and trucks.

Lavonne was united in marriage to James J. Dusek on June 10, 1953, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Owatonna. They farmed in Owatonna Township from 1953 until 1981. Lavonne was a big help with the farm work, with her ability to drive all three tractors. She enjoyed their large garden, helping gather eggs from 8,000 chickens, planting flowers and landscaping their yard, in addition to baking, canning, and cooking.

In 1981, Lavonne and Jim moved to Sun City, Ariz., where she was a member of St. Clement of Rome Church. She enjoyed working with the rose bushes and fruit trees in their yard and assisting her husband in the Real Estate business by typing his listings and taking phone calls. She enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, as well as making floral arrangements and decorating the interior of their home. She will also be remembered for her love of flowers and hummingbirds.

Following her husband’s death in August 2016, Lavonne moved to Birchwood Cottages in Owatonna for seven years and was currently residing at Mill City Memory Care in Faribault.

Lavonne is survived by 24 nieces and nephews, including her godchildren Michael (Brenda) Klampe of Ellendale, MN, and Rita (Kelly) Reich of Owatonna; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Ohnstad, Rockford, Minn., and Clarie (John) Molle, Burlington, Wis.

Lavonne was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jim, an infant brother Robert, brothers Ralph (Betty) Klampe and Donald (Sharilyn) Klampe, sisters-in-law Margaret Dusek, Marcella (Harley) Randall, Mary Ann (Nicolai ‘Homer’ Ohnstad and Matt) Brech, brother-in-law Claire Ohnstad, five nephews and a niece.

A private service will be held at Brick-Meger Funeral Home. Interment will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Owatonna. For more information or to leave an online message of condolence, go to www.megercares.com