Lavonne Birkey

Lavonne Shirley Birkey, 78, of Fort Dodge, died May 18, 2022 at the Paula J Baber Hospice Home in Fort Dodge.  A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 21, at 10:30am at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge.  Visitation will take place on hour prior to the memorial service.

Lavonne Birkey was born December 10, 1943 to George and Laurene (Engel) Beneke.  She graduated from Palmer High School in 1961.  On June 28, 1969 Lavonne married Norman Birkey at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Palmer, Iowa.  The couple made their home in Fort Dodge and Lavonne worked for Fort Dodge Labs for 13 years and Nestle Purina for 20 years before retiring in 2002.

Lavonne loved to spend time with her grandchildren and attended as many of their activities as she could.  She also enjoyed reading, relaxing, cooking and traveling.  Lavonne had a love for the ocean and enjoyed the beaches of Florida.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Norman, of Fort Dodge, Daughter Heather (Ryan) Dalton of Ankeny, and Son Timothy (Kara) Birkey of Algona; Grandchildren, Zac Kibby, Cal Birkey, Cate Birkey, Clare Birkey, Abbie Dalton, Ellie Dalton, and Nolan Dalton; Brothers Paul (Marsha) Beneke of Palmer, and Dean (Jayne) Beneke of Pocahontas.  She is preceded in death by her parents, George and Laurene Beneke.