Muriel Lavonne Hartel

Muriel "Lavonne" Hartel, 88, of Williston, North Dakota, passed away peacefully on October 26, 2025, in Windsor, Colorado. She was born on August 25, 1937, in North Dakota to Frank and Lilly (Sundeen) Jones.
Lavonne grew up on the family farm, where she learned perseverance and the true meaning of hard work. She lost her mother at a young age, which greatly changed the family's dynamic. Her sister Alice took on the roles of mother figure and elementary school teacher for Lavonne. Their relationship matured as they became close friends and later classmates in college.
Lavonne's love of cooking developed as she took on the role of preparing meals for her family following the loss of her mother. This was a lifelong passion as she greatly enjoyed feeding those she loved. She was nationally published as a field editor for Taste of Home and served as a judge for a County Fair pie contest. At the end of her career, she also worked as a cook for Head Start, finding innovative ways to meet the nutritional requirements for the children.
She was an industrious child, neck-reining her cow christened Bud for transportation. Lavonne also sold cattle from her own brand to raise money for her college education. She earned her teaching degree from Minot State University.
Following graduation from college, Lavonne married the love of her life, Duane Alvin Hartel Sr. Alongside his son, whom she loved as her own, they had four children together. After working as an elementary school teacher, Lavonne stayed home with their children to raise them. As they grew older, she took on a job at Kentucky Fried Chicken in order to pay for her children's college education.
Lavonne had a love of music. While in college, she performed with her singing group on a local radio station. She continued this passion for music throughout her life, leading worship at her church and performing at weddings and funerals. Even after moving to Colorado, she continued to perform in her community's choir.
Lavonne was also a connoisseur of china, acquiring many place settings and collections that she passed along to her children and grandchildren. She sewed matching napkins for her friends and family to go with their carefully selected patterns. Lavonne developed a skill for sewing, creating clothing for her girls, and later, homemade teddy bears for her grandchildren.
Her faith was the foundation of Lavonne's life. She and Duane were committed to supporting the local church, and her greatest wish was that her children and grandchildren would walk closely with the Lord.
Lavonne Hartel spent the last years of her life in Colorado, where she and Duane moved to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
Lavonne is survived by her beloved husband, Duane Hartel Sr; her children Duane Hartel Jr. (Lisa), Dennis Hartel (Lisa), Shelly Lamb, Sandy Buckley (Roger), and Cory Hartel (Allison); 12 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; her brother, Ralph Jones; and numerous extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Vernon, David, Don, Alice, Irene, and Edith.
Lavonne will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her, but her legacy of love, strength, and kindness will live on in the hearts of her family forever.
Lavonne had a huge heart for helping others, in lieu of flowers, memorial contribution in Muriel "Lavonne" Hartel's name can be made out to the Weld County Food Bank, in Care Of Lighthouse Family Mortuary, 3600 W 22nd Street Greeley, CO 80634. To leave condolences for Lavonne's family, www.lighthousefamilylfm.com