LAVONNE COULTER

LaVonne Elaine Coulter, 90, was born January 5, 1929 at the family farm northeast of Stratford, IA. She passed away peacefully with family by her side at the Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines, IA on March 1, 2019 due to complications of cancer. LaVonne was the daughter of Julius and Agnes (Bergman) Johnson.

LaVonne attended Crane Country School for a short time before the family moved into their longtime Stratford home. She graduated from Stratford High School in 1946. She was active in school; playing on the basketball team, singing in the chorus, and playing clarinet in the band. After graduation, she moved to Des Moines with her sister Naomi and worked as a secretary at a finance company. She then moved to Mesa, AZ with a group of young Stratford friends and worked as a bank teller. When a job opportunity as an office manager opened at the Stratford Elevator, she accepted the position and moved home to be closer to family.

On September 18, 1949, LaVonne was united in marriage to Dean Coulter in the garden of her parents’ home. The couple farmed northeast of Stratford where they raised their four children. LaVonne was a busy farm wife who canned “everything she could get her hands on” and volunteered for various activities at her children’s school.

LaVonne was an active member at the First Baptist Church over the years; where she played the piano, directed the choir, sang in the women’s trio, and provided many special numbers for the congregation.

Athens Woods Estates is where LaVonne enjoyed the last year of her life. She continued to stay involved in the community and social activities. Volunteering at the Stratford Care Center calling bingo, and playing dominoes weekly with friends were things she always looked forward to.

LaVonne was a giving and loving wife, mother, and grandmother who cherished her family and friends. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

LaVonne is survived by her children: Kathryn Coulter of Cedar Rapids, IA, Carol Coulter of Altoona, IA, and Jim Coulter and his wife Becky of Centralia, MO; her grandchildren: Tania Coulter of Chicago, IL, Mic Coulter of Columbia, MO, and Andy Coulter and his wife Ashley of Monument, CO; brother, Ron Johnson of Coos Bay, OR; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends. Her parents, her husband Dean, her son Bill, and her sister Naomi preceded her in death.

Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be from 10:00 am until 11:00 am Saturday, March 9, 2019 at the First Baptist Church in Stratford. Funeral services will be held immediately after at 11:00 am. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery, Stratford, IA. Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church in Stratford. Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at www.schroederfuneral.com.