LaVonne L. Benna – age 91, of Pocahontas, passed away on Monday, October 5, 2020, at the Pocahontas Manor Care Center in Pocahontas, Iowa.

LaVonne Lorna Ricklefs was born October 15, 1928 in Gilmore City, Iowa. She was the daughter of Louis and Bertha (Sommerfeld) Ricklefs. She was baptized on November 1 ^st in the Lutheran Faith and was confirmed on Palm Sunday, April 15, 1943 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Manson. She attended Lake township rural schools and graduated from Manson High School in 1946. She taught rural school in Lake township for 2 years. On August 10, 1947, she was united in marriage to Alan D. Stearns at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Manson. The couple farmed near Palmer for 3 years then moved west of Pocahontas and continued farming and dairying. She took great interest in the farming operations, helping in the field, milking, raising a large garden and canning. After the death of her husband, in 1969, she and the children moved into Pocahontas. She was then employed at Iowa Hydraulics. On November 16, 1974 LaVonne was united in marriage to Nels "Bart" Benna in Alta. The couple settled in Pocahontas. In October of 1991, Bart passed away. LaVonne continued to make her home in Pocahontas. She then worked at the FSA Office, a job she enjoyed very much.

LaVonne was an active member of the St. Peter Lutheran Church, serving as President of the E.L.C.A. and the W.E.L.C.A. and other circle offices. She volunteered on the American Cancer Board for 28 years and was charter president and held other offices on AAL Branch 6377 for 11 years. She was also a 4H leader and a member of the Plover Legion Auxiliary and the Pocahontas Legion Auxiliary,

Survivors include her children, Duane Stearns of Havelock, Kathy Schmitt of Houston, TX, David (Diane) Stearns of Lincoln, NE, Karen Minkler of Plover, Susan (Larry) Bailey of Knoxville; stepson, Keith Benna of Ida Grove; 10 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandsons.

LaVonne was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Alan and Bart; grandson, Lt. Jerry Schmitt; son-in-law, R. Eric Schmitt; brothers and spouses, Lowell (Gloria) Ricklefs and Erwin (Alice) Ricklefs; sister and spouse, Vivian (Leonard) Zoss; daughter-in-law, Paulette Stearns and son-in-law, Allan Minkler Sr..