Lavonne Faye Carstensen

Lavonne Faye (Jensen) Carstensen, 85, of Gresham Oregon, passed away peacefully August 19th, 2023. Lavonne is survived by her children, Grant Carstensen of Middletown, Connecticut, Celeste Gaspard of La Center, Washington, and Lorraine Thomson of Beaverton, Oregon. Grandchildren include Jessica Laudicina, Lisa Carstensen, Sandra DeGrande, Cole Peterson, Gabriel Gaspard, Bryce Thomson, and Derek Thomson. Great grandchildren include Joshua Laudicina & AnnaRose Laudicina. Lavonne was preceded in death by her ex-husband Gary Fee, husband Donald Carstensen, father Waldo Jensen, mother Loretta Ayres, and step-father Howard Ayres.

Lavonne was born on December 9, 1937 in Urbana, Illinois. She and her family moved to Portland, Oregon when she was a young girl. Lavonne graduated from Franklin High School (Portland, Oregon) in 1956. She attended the University of Oregon and Portland State University.

Lavonne met Gary Fee on a blind date in high school and they married in 1957. They had two children, Lorraine and Grant. They divorced in 1974. Lavonne met and married Donald Carstensen in 1977 and had one child, Celeste.

Lavonne’s careers included Secretary, Real Estate agent, and was a Retail Sales Associate at Norm Thompson when she retired. Her hobbies included sewing, drawing, playing the piano, calligraphy, and crafting.

Lavonne considered herself very rich as she treasured and loved God, her family and friends. She journeyed through life with close friends from Franklin High School, her long-time neighbor friends at Kelly Creek Condominiums and finally her long-time membership and involvement at Redeemer Lutheran Church brought her great joy and fulfillment in life.

A Celebration of Life Service for Lavonne will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, September 15, 2023 at Redeemer Lutheran Church located at 795 Powell Blvd, Gresham, Oregon 97030.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.batemancarrollfunerals.com for the Carstensen family.