Lavonne E. Stortz

LaVonne E. Stortz, age 95, of Decorah, Iowa, died Sunday, March 31, 2013 at Aase Haugen Home in Decorah. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. LaVonne was born August 24, 1917 in Decorah, Iowa, to Anton and Emma (Anderson) Espeseth. She graduated from Decorah High School and taught in rural Winneshiek County schools until her marriage. On June 15, 1940 she married John Stortz and they farmed in Canoe Township until their retirement in 1982, when they moved to Decorah. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Decorah and the ladies circle. LaVonne was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John in 1995, her daughter Janice Keil in 2005, her son John in 2012, and her brother Earl Espeseth. Survivors include her daughter Susan (Ron) Severson of Calmar, IA and their children Dustin and Amber of Calmar; her granddaughter Karen (Jesus) Keil-Arellano and their children Isaac and Max of La Crosse, WI; her daughter-in-law Bridget Dunbar and her children Emily, James and Sarah Stortz of Cedar Falls, Iowa.