Lavanne "Vonnie" Drange

For nearly 85 years Vonnie graced us all with her playful humor, her practical wisdom, her amazing strength, and best of all, her love. She passed away on Oct 24th, 2014 after a long valiant battle with breast cancer. Born in 1929 to Scandinavian parents and raised in Tacoma, WA, Vonnie graduated from Stadium High School in 1948, afterwards living in Skagit County, employed for many years at Shell Oil Company in Anacortes WA. In 1957 she left

all that behind, taking the plunge and marrying her long time Marine Corps sweetheart Lawrence “Larry” Drange. After the birth of their twins, seventeen

military moves, and many return visits to the Northwest, Puyallup’s South Hill neighborhood became their home for her remaining 42 years. They retired from

the military in 1969 and then together, built a successful State Farm Insurance Agency in Lakewood, WA. Vonnie managed the office while keeping up with her many home obligations and activities for the twins. She also volunteered her time at Northwest Trek and the Pierce County Crisis Line. Her life favorites included being a baseball fan, bowling, scrabble & blackjack, gardening, traveling, Scandinavian baking and crabbing and dunking Oreos @ Hood Canal. Her most favorite was being the best mother and grandmother she could be. We are all better and happier because of her and will miss her greatly!

Vonnie was preceded in death by her husband Larry and sister Lois Danielson. She is survived by her twin children Daniel Drange of Port Angeles WA and Laura (Kenneth) Steinberg of Seattle WA, as well as her three granddaughters Monette, Haley and Annika. Being the practical woman that she was, Vonnie requested no funeral/service. She surely wouldn’t object though if those who loved her would raise their glasses and exclaim “Skal” in her honor (pronounced skoal, the Swedish “cheers”)! You may also leave remembrance comments at powersfuneralhome.com.

Memorial donations may be made to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance OR to Providence Mount St. Vincent Foundation (the West Seattle facility that took such

good care of Vonnie the past year and a half) Seattle Cancer Care Alliance PO Box 19023 Seattle WA 98109 Providence Mt. St.Vincent Foundation 4831-35th Ave SW Seattle WA 98126