LaVonne Helen Haman, 87, Kalona, died March 26, 2021. She was born in Buchanan Township, Cedar County, Iowa, Sept. 8, 1933 to Edwin August Stolte and Emma Wilhelmina Tank, both German immigrants. She spent her childhood on family farms in southeast Iowa and graduated from Tipton High School.
Soon thereafter, June 24, 1951, she married Raldo William (Bill) Syring, an Army veteran, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stanwood, Iowa. LaVonne gave birth to two beautiful daughters, Becky Jo and Debra Sue. But joy turned to tragedy only a few years later when Bill was diagnosed with cancer. He passed away Aug. 8, 1960, leaving LaVonne alone with two young daughters.
LaVonne landed a job at the Iowa City Procter & Gamble plant to support her new family. She worked on the line and caught the eye of George Victor Haman, another Army veteran, who was loading train cars at P&G. LaVonne and George were married June 30, 1961, and in short order, along came three children: George Victor Jr., Theresa Lynn and Anthony Joseph.
LaVonne and George were busy with five children and their activities. There were football games and wrestling meets to attend, and band and swing choir concerts to enjoy. All the while, LaVonne worked in the accounting department at Sears and then as a receptionist at the Towncrest Medical Center until she retired. Unfortunately, cancer struck again and stole George, Sr. away from her on June 23, 2002.
She endeavored to persevere. LaVonne loved her kids, her grandkids, and her great-grandkids. She loved Frank Sinatra and Barry Manilow. She loved reading, scrapbooking, and playing cards. She says she always played by the rules. But others in the family disagree.
LaVonne was preceded in death by her parents: Edwin and Emma Stolte; husbands: William Syring and George Haman; and just last week, her son: Anthony Joseph.
She is survived by her brother: Larry (Becky) Stolte; sister: Linda (Perry) Collins; her children: Becky (Tim) Cranston; Debra (Mike) Woodhouse, George (Mary) Haman Jr., Theresa (Leo) Leinen; daughter-in-law: Michelle Haman; 19 grandchildren: Jennifer DeKoskie, Mary Beth Williams, Cindy Bishop (Chris), Maren Zinsmeyer, Jaclyn Nowotny (Michael), Angela Seay (Dennis), Mark Woodhouse, Madeleine Haman (Tyler), Anne Marie Haman (Joshua), George Haman III, Eleanor Haman, Gabrielle Haman, Benjamin Leinen, Jacob Leinen (Susanna), Emmalee Leinen (Zach), Samuel Haman (Emma), Daisy Clifton (Tayler), Ruby Haman and Lucy Love Haman; and 18 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be 10-10:45 a.m. Saturday, April 10, 2021, at St. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church, 302 East Jefferson Street, Iowa City. A Mass of Christian burial will take place immediately following the visitation, at 11 a.m. Following Mass, LaVonne will be buried next to her late husband George, Sr. at Oakland Cemetery, 1000 Brown Street, Iowa City.
Online condolences may be sent to www.lensingfuneral.com
