LaVonne Marie Gaede

LaVonne Marie Briley Gaede , 83, passed away peacefully at 5AM on October 29, 2011 in her room at Heritage Villa in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. LaVonne, a longtime Bartlesville resident, was a vital, active mother and wife. She was born LaVonne Briley in Minneapolis but she grew up in Wichita, Kansas, where she graduated from high school at age sixteen. She attended Wichita State University where she met and married the love of her life, Virgil Gaede on January 25, 1948. They remained married and devoted to each other for 61 years, until his death in 2009. Their favorite song, a metaphor for their life together was Sentimental Journey. After their marriage, they moved to Oklahoma City and Norman where LaVonne worked and Virgil completed his degrees. Starting in 1950, Virgil went to work for Phillips Petroleum and he and LaVonne lived first in Borger, Texas, followed by moves to Bartlesville, Pasadena, Texas and and 1964, once again to Bartlesville, where they made their final home. LaVonne was the quintessential woman behind a successful husband. She raised and was devoted to her two children, Jan and Steve and she found her major purpose in being the glue of her family's success. LaVonne loved her community and was active in the Methodist church. She supported the arts, especially OK Mozart and she enjoyed volunteer work in many organizations including Hospital Auxillary, the Bargain Box and Youth and Family Services. When she was not supporting her family and community, she loved playing bridge, entertaining, perfecting her home and finding antiques. She suffered injury from a fall just prior to Virgil's death and she resided at Heritage Villa for the past 22 months, where despite her inability to walk, her spirited, Irish nature, colorful personality and abiding interest in people led to many new and valued friendships. For her entire life, LaVonne was deeply interested in her community and many friends and she will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil. She is survived by her two children, Steve and Jan. Her son Steve and his wife Carol, reside in Tulsa, and they have three daughters, Lauren and her husband Tim and grandson William, Elisa and Katherine. Her daughter Jan and her husband Craig reside in Dallas, Texas and they have two children, Bryce and Hayley and her husband Ron and their son, Jackson. She is also survived by her beloved poodle, Ruby Rose. Memorial services will be held at 2PM on Tuesday, at First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Buz Wierick officiating. Memorial services and cremation are under the direction of Stumpff Funeral Home and Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Rivercross Hospice (4150 S. 100th East Ave. Ste. 109, Tulsa, OK 74166) or to a charity of your choice. PDF Printable Version

LaVonne Marie Gaede

September 24, 1928 - October 29, 2011