LaVonne Beverly Jallo

LaVonne (Punky) B. Jallo, of Fertile, MN., passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2023, peacefully, at Fair Meadow Nursing Home, in Fertile. LaVonne Beverly Jallo, the daughter of J. Luther and Leona (Wallace) Strem, was born May 16, 1931, in Fertile, MN. She was raised in the Fertile area, with her brother Jean. She was baptized and confirmed at Concordia Lutheran Church. LaVonne attended first grade at a country school and the rest of her school days at the school in Fertile, and is a 1950 graduate. After high school, LaVonne worked for her cousin, Doris and Free Carlson, in Warren, and at a bank in Crookston. She then worked for her parents, at the Sundal Store. On October 10, 1954, LaVonne was united in marriage to Alden O. Jallo, at First Evanger Lutheran Church, Fertile. They lived in Waco, Texas, while Alden served in the United States Air Force. Their first-born, Bruce, was born while they were in Texas. In 1957, they lived in Ada, and in 1958, they moved to their farm northwest of Fertile, where they resided until she entered the Fair Meadow Nursing Home, in 2016, and Aldie in 2017. LaVonne kept busy while raising their three children: Bruce, Gaye, and Joan. LaVonne could be found canning and freezing produce from her large garden, sewing many outfits for the girls and herself, and baking breads and Norwegian goodies. The coffee was always on and ready to serve guests with bars, cookies, and cake, she had baked. She enjoyed assisting Alden on the farm, by driving tractor and milking cows, when Alden needed help. Once an empty nester, LaVonne attended a painting class and created many special projects with her talents. Over the years, LaVonne also worked for her brother at the Irishman's Shanty, in Crookston, and as a salesclerk at the Fertile Coast to Coast Hardware Store. LaVonne was very active in the Varnes Lutheran Church Sunday School, Luther League leader, and WELCA for many years, until closing in 2004; she is a current member of Concordia Lutheran Church, past Liberty 4-H Club leader; Liberty Homemakers Club; and the American Legion Auxiliary. She also loved to spoil her grandchildren, and her granddog, Ernie. LaVonne is survived by her three children: Bruce (Maria) Jallo, Fertile, MN., Gaye Jallo, Crookston, MN., Joan (David) Ruen, Wykoff, MN.; granddaughter, Kirsten (Ian MacDonald) Ruen; step-grandchildren: Meredith (David) Beery, Juanita Garcia, Humberto Alzalde, and Maria Louise Hernandez; brother-in-law, Albert (Margie) Jallo; sister-in-law, Carol Jallo; nephews: Todd (Julie) Strem, and Cory (Courtney) Strem; 21 step-great-grandchildren; and two step-great-great-grandchildren. LaVonne is preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Alden; her parents; brother, Jean; sister-in-law, Polly Strem; step-grandsons: Andrew Ruen, Gilbert Garcia, and Juan Garcia; and nephew, Jan Strem. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Fair Meadow Foundation and Concordia Lutheran Church WELCA. Funeral: 2:00 PM, Friday, March 10, 2023, at Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN. Visitation: One hour before the funeral, at the church. Interment: Varnes Lutheran Cemetery, Rural Fertile, MN. Source: Obituary @ Fredrikson-Ganje Funeral Homes ~ Erikson-Vik-Ganje Funeral Home