Lavon Heitman

Lavon Johanna Heitman, one of two daughters of John Claus and Linda E (VonWeihe) Hekter, was born July 12, 1920 in her parent's home on a farm near Treynor, Iowa. She grew up in the Treynor area and became a confirmed member of St. Paul Lutheran Church on July 22, 1934. Lavon graduated from Treynor High School in 1938 and for the next two years helped her parents on the farm.

On February 14, 1940, Lavon and John Fritz Heitman of Mineola, Iowa were married at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Treynor. For a short time they made their first home on a farm north of Mineola. They then moved west of Mineola and lived there until 1945 when they made their last move to a farm southwest of Mineola. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Joyce, Kenneth, and Dean. Lavon was an active farm wife who enjoyed caring for her children and home, along with the sewing, cooking and baking, and gardening. After their move to the Mineola area, Lavon transferred her church membership to St. John Lutheran Church in Mineola where all three of their children became confirmed members. Lavon lived for her church and was a very active and dedicated member who would serve on any committee or do anything to help her church. She belonged to WELCA, taught Sunday School and Bible School, served on the church council, the altar committee, and was a member of the church choir and the bell choir. She enjoyed her time quilting with the ladies of the church and being a member of the Heritage Club. Besides the church activities, Lavon was a 4-H leader, member of the Blue Bird Club, served on the Mineola Community Center Board, the Cemetery Association, and the Mills County Extension Council. Her other enjoyments included bowling, dancing, playing cards, and shopping.

After her children were grown and the need of her help on the farm decreased, Lavon began working at Hillside Manor in Glenwood, Iowa as a supervisor of housekeeping. She later became a cook for the Glenwood School District and in later years helped at the Mineola Steak House.

Lavon and John had been married 52 years at the time of John's death on June 23, 1992. Lavon continued to live on the farm until September of 1999 when she moved to the Glen Haven Nursing Home in Glenwood. Lavon died at Glen Haven on March 8, 2003 having attained the age of 82 years, 7 months, and 26 days.

Lavon was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John, and her sister Vera Nelson. She is survived by her daughter Joyce Toelle and husband Ardon of Arlington, Nebraska; son Kenneth Heitman and wife Beth of rural Glenwood, Iowa; son Dean Heitman of Glenwood; brother-in-law Clifford Nelson of Treynor, Iowa; 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.