LaVon Ora (Geyer) Van Allen

LaVon began life July 13, 1926, daughter of Fred and Inez Geyer in Iroquois, South Dakota. She grew up with one younger brother Leonard and lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins. With her dad working for Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, her family moved several times finally settling in Huron, South Dakota. With her love of horses she became a rodeo fan and her adventurous personality led her to riding brahma bulls at 16 years old and even traveling with the rodeo, billed as a “Youngest Cowgirl to Ride the Brahmas!”

In 1948 LaVon moved to California to live with her cousin Betty’s family. The following year she met and wed the love of her life, a fiddle player named George Van Allen. They happily settled near family, in their life-long home in Glen Avon, California. In the years to follow LaVon and George welcomed two children, George and Sue who were blessed with the best childhood anyone could ask for. She was always there for us no matter what and we always knew we were loved. After the kids grew up LaVon went to work for the Jurupa Unified School District making even more friends.

LaVon enjoyed bowling, playing guitar with her husband, Uncle Ed and cousin Eddie Williams during extended family jam sessions. She also enjoyed Bunco and she always had a camera in hand to document all the fun. She looked forward to travel, especially trips and visits with friends and relatives and was the first in the car to take a ride to ‘see the countryside.’ Her delightful sense of humor could bring everyone around her laughing to tears. She was a most magnificent wife, Mom and friend.

She is survived by children George (Patricia) Van Allen of Colorado and Sue Vermillion of Riverside who enjoyed being her caregiver for the last 8 years, grandchildren, Sybil (Ryan) Rivera of Palm Desert, Rusty (Chrissy) Van Allen of Colorado, Neil Vermillion of Paradise, Doug (Chelsie) Van Allen of Colorado, Trista (Jeff) Mroczek of Montréal, Canada, Josh (& Maria) Mroczek of London, England, as well as twelve great-grand children. She is preceded in death by her husband George and brother Leonard.

LaVon will be greatly missed by her family, friends and all who knew her.

It's comforting to know she will always be watching over us, love you Mom! We love you Grandma and Great-Grandma!