Lavonne A. Lehner was born to Marvin and Anita Poppitz on 1/31/1947 in Cape Girardeau, MO. She became a child of God through baptism on 2/16/1947 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Altenburg, MO. The family moved to St. Louis in 1953, where her brother Keith was born 3 years later. Lavonne was confirmed in her faith on 3/26/1961 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, St. Louis, MO, and graduated 8th grade from St. Luke’s School. She was in the 1965 graduating class of Bayless High School, St. Louis, MO.
After high school, Lavonne entered the workforce at the Social Security office, where she met Thomas Lehner, and worked for many years. She held part-time jobs at Pettymark Crestwood (Hallmark), Eberhardt’s Pharmacy and Dr. George Parker’s chiropractic office. Lavonne was a long-time member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church Lemay, MO. After retirement, she enjoyed traveling (cruises & trips) with friends and family, and enjoying Cardinals Baseball.
The family would like to thank the staff of Southview Assisted Living for their loving care of Lavonne, the past 15 months.
She is survived by her brother Keith (Kathryn) Poppitz, nephew Gregory (Sara) Poppitz, and nieces Kimberly (A.J.) Cluck and Bethany (Brant) Burgess, great nephews, great nieces, and cousins.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 27th, 2024. Gethsemane Lutheran Church 765 Lemay Ferry Rd, St. Louis, MO 63125. Visitation from 10 – 11 am. Service at 11 am
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the Gethsemane Lutheran Church Endowment Fund.
Always in my heart and thoughts!
Many fond memories of you. Your cousin Cindy
Lavonne was the cousin that helped me in high school and college to get A’s on all my typed reports, correct my grammar and “thank god” my spelling. Even she had a difficult time with some of the combinations I came up with. Just before starting college, (1969) Lavonne and I took a road trip in her new Chevrolet Monte Carlo. It was a wonderful adventure to have at the end of the summer. We drove from St Louis to Florida, she visited with a girlfriend in Miami, we spent time on the beach, had a memorial meal at the Kapoc Tree restaurant (not sure if it still exists) but it was a truly amazing place, continued to New Orleans, again amazing restaurants. If anyone wonders – Lavonne got the bed – I got a pillow and a blanket and slept on the floor during the trip.
Once we left New Orleans it was due north and back to St. Louis and college. Biggest regret for the trip – not keeping track of any photos from the trip, they must be in a box somewhere.
Next occasion Lavonne shared with me was being part of her wedding – it was a very special family occasion. After that we went on different life adventures of our own. Years later I had an occasion to be back working in St Louis for a short period of time and got to have a nice lunch with Lavonne, and caught up with each other, talked about family and future plans. But like everyone knows, time slips away and life takes over, that was the last time we talked. I will miss her!