LaVonne A. Garceau, 57, of Grand Forks, passed away Saturday, June 18, 2011 at her home surrounded by her family after a long courageous battle with cancer. A rosary will be said at 6 p.m., Friday, June 24, 2011 lead by Deacon Leonard Kordonowy Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson. A memorial mass will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, June 23, 2011 at Holy Family Catholic Church, Grand Forks. Inurnment will take place at a later date during a private family service in St. Josaphat’s Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Fairfield.

LaVonne Ann Kordon was born on October 24, 1953 the daughter of John and Julia (Evoniuk) Kordon at Dickinson. Her family lived on the farm near Fairfield where she was raised. She graduated from Belfield High School, Belfield in 1971. LaVonne married Michael J. Garceau on September 27, 1974 in St. Demetrius Ukrainian Catholic Church, Fairfield. She worked for Western Potato (Simplot) of Grand Forks as a lab technician from 1971 to 2002.

LaVonne was an avid gardener, especially with flowers. Over the years she transformed her back yard into a colorful work of art. She was also an excellent cook – her family barbeques featured enough food to feed an army.

She is survived by her husband, Michael; children, Katie (Ryan) Torgerson, Manvel, and Josh (Jade) Garceau Alvarado, Minn.; grandchildren, Jacob, Jenae, Jacy, Jaxon Garceau and Michael, Matthew, Ryden Torgerson (and Baby Torgerson still in the oven); her mother, Julia; a sister, Donna (Bruce) Doll, Coon Rapids, Minn.; brothers, Mark (Deb) Kordon and Kurt Kordon both of Fairfield.

She was preceded in death by her father and a niece, Amanda Kordon.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Altru Cancer Center for their excellent care, compassion, and support over the years. The family would also like to thank Dr. Walsh for his efforts to extend LaVonne’s time with them.