LaVonne Fae Gilbertson

LaVonne "Vonnie" Fae Gilbertson November 7, 1949 - August 14, 2025 LaVonne "Vonnie" Fae Gilbertson, 75, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on August 14, 2025. She was born on November 7, 1949, in Minneapolis to Robert and Arleen Gilbertson. Vonnie was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Karen Damlo; her great-nephew, Julian Anderson; grandparents Alfred and Doris Johnson and Mamie and John Gilbertson; and many beloved aunts and uncles. She is survived by her sister Linda Stebbins (Ken); brother-in-law Russ Damlo; niece Sarah Damlo, great nephew Liam Anderson; nephew Christopher Damlo (Stephanie), great nephews Gavin, Sawyer, and Charlie; nephew Stephen Damlo (Katie), great niece Kaylee and great nephews Nolan, Connor and Lukas; as well as many cousins and two aunts. Vonnie earned her bachelor's degree in education from the University of Minnesota. Her teaching career began overseas in American schools in Okinawa, Japan and Berlin, Germany, where she taught for several years. Upon returning home, she taught at Marcy Arts Elementary School in Minneapolis before completing her master's degree. She then devoted her career to serving older adults, working first at Andrew Residence and Ebenezer Care Center in Minneapolis. Later, she became the Director of Adult Day Care Services for Carver County in Chaska, a position she greatly enjoyed. Outside of her professional life, Vonnie loved spending time at the family lake home "up north," often exploring the lake by paddle boat and delighting in the calls of the loons. She also had a lifelong passion for travel. What began as teaching abroad grew into decades of exploration around the world. She visited countries across Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific, as well as many places throughout the United States. Whether strolling through the streets of Paris, visiting the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, touring sites in Scandinavia, or visiting friends in Israel, she cherished learning about different cultures and sharing her experiences with her family. Travel allowed her to connect her love of history, education, and adventure, and she treasured the friendships and memories she made along the way. Vonnie was also deeply committed to living an active and healthy lifestyle, enjoying biking, running, rollerblading, and walking. Her faith was central to her life. A devoted Lutheran, she faithfully attended worship each Sunday, always sitting in her regular pew, and watched online services when unable to attend in person. Vonnie will be remembered for her kindness, dedication to her family and community, love of nature, and her lifelong commitment to helping others. Please join us in celebrating LaVonne at her memorial service on September 4, 2025 at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, 3611 N. Berens Rd NW, Prior Lake, MN. The service is at 11:00 with visitation an hour before with a luncheon following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association in Vonnie's memory, the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, or the Golden Valley Humane Society. Alzheimer's disease ultimately claimed her life, but her legacy lives on in the causes she cherished-caring for others, appreciating the beauty of nature, and her love for animals, especially cats. www.washburn-mcreavy.com Dawn Valley Chapel 952-941-7686