Kathryn LaVonne Henry, 88, formerly of Akron, Iowa, passed away on June 26, 2021 at her daughter's home in Riverside, California, surrounded by loved ones.

LaVonne was born in Iowa on December 17, 1932 to Clifford and Iva Clarey, the seventh of their ten children.  In 1950 she married Estell Henry of Kingsley, Iowa and they made their homes in Iowa, Minnesota and California.  Upon Estell's retirement in 1990, they returned to Akron, Iowa to live, spending winter months in California with their children.  In 2013, several years after the passing of her husband, LaVonne returned to California to be closer to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

While raising their family, LaVonne volunteered at the kids' elementary school, helping students who were struggling with reading.  She enjoyed spending time with family, working crossword puzzles, reading, and later in life, taking art classes at the Senior Center in Riverside and making tie-blankets for her family and friends. LaVonne had a great love of music and her Catholic faith.  In her later years, while living in an assisted living facility, she devoted much of her time to praying the rosary for her family members and friends.

LaVonne is survived by four of her children, Kathy Chavez, Janet (Paul) Anderson, Wayne (Robin) Henry, and Lois (Richard) Beckman, nine grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, brother-in-law Gerd Ludwigs, sister-in-law Lois Clarey and many beloved nieces and nephews.

LaVonne was preceded in death by her husband, Estell, their oldest daughter Iva Faye, her son-in-law Mike Chavez, and by her parents and her nine siblings.

A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, August 5 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church in Riverside, California.  Interment will be at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Akron, Iowa at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 1, 2021.