LaVonne Kay Hansen was born Aug. 28, 1939, to Alvin and Alice Layher on the family farm north of St. Paul, and passed away Feb. 20, 2025, at her home in Seward.
LaVonne was united in marriage to Arthur Hansen on July 16, 1955, and together had five sons. The family resided in St. Paul, St. Libory and Grand Island for many years. Fond memories were made on numerous family vacations driving to their destinations in their International Travelall that fit the entire family and always included extended family members, too. LaVonne’s husband, Art, tragically passed away at 40 years of age, leaving LaVonne to raise and provide for her boys the best she could.
LaVonne waitressed for 35 years at Dreisbach’s Steakhouse, making lifelong friends with co-workers whom she enjoyed going on many cruises with. LaVonne loved playing Keno (lucky numbers 8-28-39), going to the casinos and horse races. She played many hands of pitch and knock poker with her family. LaVonne enjoyed watching football and cheering for her Cornhuskers, Kansas City Chiefs and Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
LaVonne loved attending her kids and grandkids activities, and if she wasn’t able to attend, she wanted to hear all about it. LaVonne was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Grand Island. After retirement, she moved to Seward to be close to her family and attended St. Vincent Catholic Church.
LaVonne could always be found in the kitchen alongside her sons sharing her love of preparing food for her family with them and teaching them that everything tastes better when you put love into it. She was able to go on vacations with her sons and their families many times. LaVonne particularly loved her great-grandkids and ALWAYS wanted to hold those babies!
Survivors cherishing her memory include Mike (Anne) Hansen, Tim (Kay) Hansen, Shawn Hansen and Todd Hansen, all of Seward; daughters-in-law, Cindy Hansen and Annie Hansen; 12 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; sister, Loretta Kowalski; special niece, Kellie (Kevin) Brittain and great-nephew, Zach Brittain; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Art; son, Arthur; parents Alvin and Alice Layher; sister and brother-in-law, Connie and Wilbur Nielson, brother-in-law Lawrence Kowalski and great niece, Chelsie Brittain.
Visitation is Tuesday, Feb. 25, from 3 – 7 p.m. at Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home in Seward with farmily receiving friends from 5 – 7 p.m. The funeral service will be Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home with interment following at Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Hansen family for future designation.
Arrangements by Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home.
