LaVonne Stouffer

LaVonne "Vonnie" (Van Zee) Stouffer, 80, passed away peacefully in her Roseville, Minnesota home on May 18, 2025 after years of health challenges and a final day surrounded by her adoring family. LaVonne was born at home on Sept. 2, 1944 in a community of Dutch-American farmers in central South Dakota. She was the first in her household to graduate from high school and with her typical no-nonsense courage left the farm for business school. LaVonne sought every opportunity to learn. She began her career as an assistant in a law firm, where she often proved to know more than the attorneys. She was a vital partner in crafting the doctoral dissertation that landed her husband Ralph a professorship in the Twin Cities, where they moved a few years after marrying in 1966. Her keen memory for detail and calm leadership served her well in the insurance field, where colleagues sought her out for professional and personal advice. She was admired for her work ethic, kindness, and integrity. For over six decades Vonnie and Doc created a beautiful life together, raising their children, Kris and Joe, to feel safe, understood, and cherished. Disco dancing in the 70s, racquetball in the 80s, Timberwolves games in the 90s. Pizza out on Fridays, date nights every Saturday and church on Sundays. Thanksgiving in South Dakota, Christmas in Chicago and later St.Paul, post-retirement stays in Florida. All of it was made special by Vonnie's warmth, joy, and thoughtfulness. Family was the most important thing to Vonnie, and she was thrilled when hers expanded. She had immense pride for her children's spouses, Tom and Alisun, and she was a deeply devoted Nana to her grandchildren, Margaret and Harris. LaVonne made the world a better place by the way she made those around her feel. She had an incredible curiosity and care for people and a gentle, bright presence. She was an excellent listener, which made her great at saying the right thing, at giving the best advice, at tackling problems big and small. Her lifetime is marked by many close friendships with wonderful people who loved her profoundly. Vonnie was slow to anger and easy to giggle. She had an incredible green thumb and an absolutely magical way with mashed potatoes. She read hundreds of books, collected paintings by local artists, and sang (off key) to Patsy Cline, Frank Sinatra and the Hallelujah Chorus. She packed so much mental and physical toughness into such a small package. She was secretly extremely competitive. She thrived in the sunshine, the heat, and especially the humidity. She kept the cleanest, most organized home any of us will ever see. She was beautiful and stylish at every age. She had a strong faith and love of God, and she was not afraid to die. She thought her grandchildren and granddogs could do no wrong. She gave the best back scratches, arm pats, and cheek pinches. She was everyone's favorite. She had enough love for a million lifetimes. Family who hold her in our hearts: husband Ralph Edgar Stouffer III, children Kristin Stouffer (Tom Meckey) and Joseph Stouffer (Alisun Abbott), grandchildren Margaret Meckey and Harris Meckey, brother-in-law John Tronvold, sister-in-law Ellamarie Stouffer Boersma, nephew Jeff Tronvold (Paula Tronvold), nieces Laura Bloom Johnson and Juliet Bloom McNulty (Jim McNulty), and nephew-in-law Jerry Wielenga. Family who have gone on before her: parents Gerrit William Van Zee and Margaret Jongejeugd Van Zee, sister Elsie Van Zee Tronvold, niece Deneen Tronvold Wielenga, brother-in-law Wes Boersma, and nephew-in-law Carl Johnson. Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life for LaVonne on Saturday, July 12, 10am-1pm (service at 11am) at the Washburn-McReavy Chapel, 515 Hwy 96 W, Shoreview, MN 55126. The service will be live streamed for those who cannot join in person. The webcast will be accessible five minutes prior to the service time. To view, select the "tribute wall" tab and click on the video feed. Memorial gifts may be directed to Dakota Christian School: https://www.dchs.net/ or National Breast Cancer Coalition: https://www.stopbreastcancer.org/.

Tributes

LaVonne Stouffer

September 2, 1944 - May 18, 2025

Tributes

LaVonne Stouffer

September 2, 1944 - May 18, 2025

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