Obituary of Lavonne Balt

Lavonne Ruth Balt, daughter of John and Ida (Onken) Kadous, was born on March 15, 1931, in Sibley, IA. She grew up in the Sibley area where she received her education, graduating from Sibley High School. Lavonne then attended Northwestern Junior College at Orange City, IA, for two years, obtaining a teaching certificate. She was united in marriage to Wm. Roger Van Beek on February 21, 1953, at Long Beach, CA. Following Roger's discharge from the Navy in 1955, they returned to Sanborn, IA, and began farming northwest of town. Lavonne taught school in the elementary grades until they began their family. They were blessed with three children: Lance, Mark, and Joy. Lavonne enjoyed her new role as mother and home-maker but would substitute teach on occasion. Roger was taken to his heavenly home on January 25, 1991. Lavonne moved into the town of Sanborn a few months later. She married Richard C. Balt, also of Sanborn, on September 12, 1998, where they continued to reside. They moved to the Christian Retirement Home in Sheldon, IA, in August of 2013. Lavonne became a resident of Prairie View Nursing Home in Sanborn on September 16, 2013, where the Lord took her home on December 11, 2013. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Richard C. Balt of Sheldon; her children: Lance (Arlene) Van Beek and Mark (Cindy) Van Beek, all of Sanborn, and Joy (Darwin) Poppema of Orange City, IA; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; Richard's children: Dianne (Tom) Schemper of Sheldon, IA, Nancy Klemme of Ames, IA, Laura (Jerry) Van Beek of Hartley, IA, Sally (Mike) McMahon of Sioux City, IA, and Rob (Lynn) Balt of Escondido, CA; Richard's grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother, Calvin Kadous of Tuscon, AZ; step-sisters: Dorothy Groote and Ruth Loerts, both of Sibley, IA; step-brother, Irvin Backer of Sibley, IA, and half-brother, Don (Maureen) Kadous of Spencer, IA; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Roger Van Beek; one brother and his wife, Delbert (Willie) Kadous; sisters-in-law: Carol Kadous and Bonnie Kadous; step-sister-in-law, Ruth Backer; step-brothers-in-law: Fred Groote and Wayne Loerts. Lavonne was a member of Cornerstone United Reformed Church in Sanborn where she was very involved in Bible study along with other activities of the church. She also volunteered for many years at Village Northwest's Treasure Chest in Sheldon. Lavonne enjoyed sewing, quilting, and a variety of crafts. Her favorite time was spent with family and friends. She will be remembered for the love she had for God, her family, and her church.