LaVonne Catherine Stermer

Services will be held at Allenspark Community Church on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Instead of flowers, we ask that memorial gifts be made to Allenspark Community Church’s Youth Programs. LaVonne wrote the obituary below before her passing. The family has made small edits and additions while keeping her voice.

I was born on December 23, 1937 (Thursday) to Warren Gates Stockham and Thelma Belle Minton at home in Sedgwick, Colorado. I always said I was an early Christmas Present since I was the first grandchild with the last name Stockham. My grandma enrolled me in Cradle Roll at the church right away.

I attended the Sedgwick, Colorado schools, graduating in 1955. My class consisted of 12 girls and 4 boys. After graduating, I went to Barnes Business School and earned a Junior Accounting Degree. I also met Haddon Stermer at Barnes. After graduating from Barnes, I went to work for GMAC (General Motors Finance Company.)

In February 1957, I married Haddon Stermer at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Denver, Colorado. In August 1958, our son Paul arrived, and I became a full-time mother. In October 1961, Nicholas joined our family.

When the boys went to school, I worked for Aetna Finance Company as Girl Friday. Then in November 1972, daughter Elizabeth (Beth) joined the family.

Around this time, we moved from the suburbs of Denver to the mountains above Lyons, Colorado. I was a stay-at-home mom again for several years. But when Beth was old enough to care for herself, I went back to work at Blue Mountain Arts Greeting Cards Company.

After 13-plus years, I retired to spend the rest of my time with Mountains around me, the deer, the elk, the moose, crows, Steller’s jays, chickadees, etc.

I was a member of the Allenspark Community Church, where I led Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, Allenspark Area Club, Hilltop Guild (Where I was the Treasurer for several years), and the Allenspark Senior Advisory Council.

I am survived by my husband, Haddon; our children, Paul (Judy), Nick (Gretchen), and Beth (Shayne); and our six grandchildren, Matthew, Josh, Zachary, Penny, Dory, and Toby. I am also survived by four great-grandchildren, Hunter, Lyla, Parker, and Madelyn, as well as my sister, Zavelle, of Washington.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Allenspark Community Church Youth Program, 16 Washington St, Allenspark, Colorado 80510, US, or at https://allensparkcommunitychurch.org/contact.