In Memory of LaVonne M. Murray

LaVonne Mae (Christiansen) Murray, age 92, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at the Good Samaritan Society of Holstein, Iowa. 

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 6, 2024, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Rev. Neil Wehmas will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery of rural Ida Grove, Iowa. 

A Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa.    

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

LaVonne Mae Streck, the daughter of Albert and Alvina (Jacobs) Streck was born May 23, 1931, in the family home in Ida Grove, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. LaVonne graduated with the class of 1949 from Ida Grove High School. While in high school, she worked for a local grocery store. 

In 1953, LaVonne was united in marriage to Donald R. Christiansen in Ida Grove. The couple lived north of Ida Grove the first three years of their marriage before eventually moving to the family farm south of town. They were blessed with six children: Sandy, Brad, Joy, Jan, Patti, and Brian. 

LaVonne worked at the ASCS office for 30 years until her retirement. She was a devoted mother and wife, taught Sunday school for many years, and volunteered at the Horn Memorial Hospital gift gallery. She enjoyed bowling, dancing, playing cards, and working in her garden. LaVonne was a faithful and devoted member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove. 

In January of 1988 her husband Donald passed away. On June 10, 1990, LaVonne married Donald Murray. 

Left to cherish her memory are her children Sandra (Michael) Einfeldt of Seattle, WA, Brad Christiansen (special friend Michele Corbin) of Ida Grove, IA, Joy (Melvin) Booth of Carroll, IA and Brian (Lisa) Christiansen of Ida Grove, IA; two step-children Cindy (Tim) Larson of Ames, IA and Rondel Murray of Charter Oak, IA; 15 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; sons-in-law Tom Berens of Bettendorf, IA and Joe Koenigs of Slayton, MN; brother Kenneth Streck of Ida Grove, IA; sister Marilyn Skaren of Arthur, IA; sister-in-law Mary Streck of Allen, TX; many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. 

La Vonne was preceded in death by her parents Albert and Alvina Streck; husbands Donald “Petey” Christiansen and Donald L. Murray; daughters Patti Berens and Jan Koenigs; brothers Delmar Streck and Eldon Streck; sister-in-law Nancy Streck; and brother-in-law Edward Skaren.