Lavon Jane Schmidt

Lavon Jane (Foster) Schmidt, 63 of Coon Rapids, MN, died on February 19, 2026. From the very beginning, Lavon was a sensitive sweet soul with a silly side.

Lavon was raised in Fargo, ND and spent as much time as she could outside barefoot, going to the swimming pool and playing with her siblings and friends. She had a son as a teenager and reunited with her son, Tyler, when he was 19 and this fulfilled her deepest wish.

At the age of 17, Lavon joined the North Dakota Air National Guard and fulfilled six years of service. She obtained her Bachelor of Social Work degree and her career focused on mental health. She became one of the first Treatment Foster Parents in North Dakota and fostered many children and teens. Lavon had twin daughters that she adored and treasured being their mom/momma/mum/mummer. Later, she married the love of her life, Loren, and her family grew with two bonus daughters. Lavon obtained her Master of Social Work degree from UND and worked clinically in mental health. She went on to private practice when Loren and Lavon moved to Arizona to be closer to her parents. Lavon shared her genuineness, compassion, and empathy in assisting her clients with their life's challenges.

Lavon was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer November of 2021 and a short time later with Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia. In 2023, Lavon and her husband moved to Coon Rapids, Minnesota to be closer with their daughters. Lavon had various surgeries and numerous chemotherapy treatments and didn't let cancer define her. Lavon always brightened when she was with family and friends. Becoming a grandmother of twin grandsons filled her with even more love and joy. She enjoyed hiking, nature photography, and meditating. She remained sensitive, sweet, and spiritual with a silly side just like she had begun in this world.

Lavon is survived by her loving husband, Loren; sister, Anita (Andy) Smith, Sylvania, GA; brother, Byron (Michael) Foster, Savannah, GA; son, Tyler (Heather Scherzer) Redlin, Moorhead, MN; daughters, Brianna (Daniel) Bodunov, Roseville, MN, Mikayla (Ross) Nixon, Lauderdale, MN, Erin (Tom Quinlivan) Schmidt, Fort Worth, TX, Kelsey (Brandon Hansen) Schmidt, Omaha, NE; twin grandsons, Iver and Finn Bodunov; a niece, nephew; and many brother and sister-in-laws. Preceded in death by parents, Donald and Kenegunda "Keney" Foster; parents-in-law, Harry and Lois Schmidt; stepson, Eric Schmidt; and brother-in-laws.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 2 PM with visitation at 1 PM at Washburn-McReavy Coon Rapids Chapel, 1827 Coon Rapids Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN. Donations in Lavon's honor can be made to Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Allinace (MOCA) at mnovarian.org or to Our Lady of Peace Hospice at ourladyofpeacemn.org.