Lois LaVonne Martin

Lois LaVonne Martin was born in Monroe, Iowa to Orville Garrett and Leatha Harmison on March 19, 1929. She was called to her heavenly home on March 5, 2025, just two weeks shy of her 96th birthday.

LaVonne’s family moved to Runnells, Iowa where she graduated from high school. She later attended Cedar Falls Teaching College where she received her teaching certificate. LaVonne enjoyed teaching Kindergarten in Redfield and Pocahontas, IA. While in Redfield she met Roger Martin who later became her husband. They were united in marriage on August 21, 1949 and enjoyed 73 years of marriage. Seven children were born into this union.

The family first lived on a small farm and in a really small house near Redfield where LaVonne raised her children and helped Roger farm. The farming was shared with LaVonne and Roger raising corn, soybeans, hay, cattle, hogs, and several milk cows that Roger milked and separated the cream to sell. LaVonne had chickens and laying hens and she sold the eggs for her fun money. She had many flower beds and large gardens and canned many vegetables and fruits. LaVonne was an active member of the Redfield Methodist Church and later the Adel Methodist Church. She taught Sunday school for many years. She was also involved as a 4-H leader, garden club, bridge club, Farm Bureau, neighborhood pitch club, square dancing, and many more organizations and activities. She was instrumental in the opening of the Des Moines Botanical Garden and the Reiman Gardens in Ames. She enjoyed taking groups of women on social outings which usually involved a stop at a tea room. LaVonne could always be found drinking a hot cup of tea with honey.

In 1963 they moved to a farm one mile west of Adel that Roger farmed and later purchased.

In 1970 LaVonne and Roger built their dream home at Lake Panorama. They enjoyed being members of the HALO club and Par 3 golf course, where LaVonne shot a hole-in-one.

When the Iowa farm crisis hit in the 1980’s, the dream home was sold and LaVonne worked as a nurse’s aid, substitute teacher, and at Panora greenhouse to help Roger keep the Adel farm. Later in their lives they purchased the Martin family farm in Redfield where they lived for the remainder of their lives.

Each year LaVonne and Roger traveled with their 7 children in a station wagon and pop-up camper. In their retirement years, Roger and LaVonne traveled extensively in their motor home throughout the U.S. They traveled south every winter visiting family and friends along the way. They also traveled north on the Alcan Highway to Alaska, south down the Baja California Peninsula, the Mayan Ruins in Mexico, Kenya Africa, Panama Canal, and St. Lawrence Seaway.

LaVonne loved entertaining and being surrounded by friends and family. She will be remembered for her quick wit, laughter, and love for life. Her grandchildren will remember the values she instilled in them and the many trips taken with their Nana. LaVonne was a wonderful lady, wife, mother, Nana, and friend. She loved our Lord and the many blessings He provided throughout her lifetime. LaVonne taught her family to live life to the fullest and to cherish every moment. She lived a long, rewarding life and will be missed by many.

LaVonne is survived by her children, Darwin Martin (Joyce) of Camdenton, MO, Natalie Pendroy (Jim) of Monroe, IA, David Martin (Karen) of Clam Gulch, AK, Dallas Martin of Adel, IA, Minalee Martin Scheuerman of Camdenton, MO, and Duane Martin (Lorie) of Macks Creek, MO; 17 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and 16 great-great grandchildren.

LaVonne was preceded in death by her husband, Roger Martin; her son, Daniel Len Martin; her parents, Orville and Leatha Harmison; her brothers, Dick, Ron, and Orville Harmison; and her sister, Alice Pittman.

A visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Adel United Methodist Church in Adel followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. A private family inurnment will take place at Oakdale Cemetery in Adel. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.caldwellparrish.com