Oct. 25, 1931 - Jan. 24, 2015
LaVona Ericksen Steffen, 83, passed away peacefully, Saturday evening, January 24, 2015 at her daughter’s home in Hendersonville, TN. LaVona was born on October 25, 1931 in Beaver Dam, Utah, the youngest of nine children born to Joseph Alma Ericksen and Mary LaVona Johnson Ericksen. In 1953, LaVona married her eternal sweetheart and greatest friend, Thomas L. Steffen, former Chief Justice of the Nevada Supreme Court, in the Salt Lake City, Utah temple. They were married 62 years in a completely united, loving relationship where a cross word was never spoken.LaVona was reared on the family farm in Beaver Dam where she was expected to milk cows, care for the chickens and work in the field. Though raised during the depression, LaVona learned early that music was a necessity in the Ericksen home, where she was taught and trained to be an accomplished pianist and vocalist. She would use those talents the rest of her life as she played the piano, organ and sang in both religious and civic functions. LaVona graduated from Bear River High School and then attended Utah State University and Brigham Young University, where she was a member of Orchesis. LaVona was an active and devoted member of the LDS Church and enjoyed many lasting friendships through her service. She was a gospel enthusiast who loved reading from the scriptures and other works related to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Additionally, LaVona faithfully kept a journal for the past 37 years, compiling a legacy of dozens of bound journals for her posterity. LaVona will be remembered for her sweet and loving nature, her musical talent, her unwaveringly happy disposition, and for her significant sacrifices on behalf of her family. She is survived by her husband Thomas L. Steffen, daughter Elizabeth, Seal Beach, CA; daughter Catherine (Tod) Thompson, Hendersonville, TN; son Conrad David (Sherida), Las Vegas, NV; son John (Stephanie), Las Vegas, NV; and daughter Jennifer (Stan) Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 22 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. She will be reunited with her precious granddaughter Lauren Elizabeth Thompson (Hendersonville, TN) who passed away in 1992, at age 11. She is survived by her siblings, Elaine (Harmon, deceased) Green of Salt Lake City, Ut, and Bryce (Louise, deceased) Ericksen of Beaver Dam, Utah. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Marie, Helen, and Virginia; and brothers Durrell, Kenneth, and Melvin. Funeral services will be held in the same rock LDS chapel that LaVona attended as a child, on Saturday, January 31st at 16025 North Beaver Dam Rd. at 1:00 pm. Visitation for family and friends will be held at 12:00 noon prior to the funeral service.
