Lavona Irene (Carlile) Gebhardt, the daughter of Alex and Grace (Rice) Carlile was born in Finnegan Township, rural Rolette County, North Dakota, home of her parents on September 21,  1926.  She died at the age of 91 years on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at Southview Estates in Rugby, North Dakota. 

Lavona was raised in her rural Rolette home with her parents and siblings and later moved into Rolette, where she graduated from Rolette High School in 1943.  She completed her education at St. Michael’s Hospital  School of Nursing at  the University of North Dakota, earning her RN degree. Lavona and Garland Gebhardt were married on October 20, 1948 in Rolla, North Dakota.  The couple made their home in  Rugby for five years, and then they purchased the Gebhardt family farm in Girard Township near Balta, North Dakota.  Nine children were born.  A loving wife, mother, grandmother, homemaker and farmer,  Lavona returned to nursing in 1973 and eventually was  named Director of Nursing for the Long-Term Care unit of the Heart of America Medical Center.  After 24 years Lavona retired from nursing administration.  Following retirement, Lavona enjoyed living at the farm tending to its upkeep, gardening, yard work, managing the land, and sharing it with her family.

Survivors include her children, Lynnette (Charles) Tinacci, Lewes, DE; Kenneth (Diane), Grafton; Jody (Bruce) Ohlhaber, Red Wing, MN; Kelly (Laurie), Cottage Grove, MN; Gail (Dan) Kahl, Cicero, IN; Kent (Karen), Arlington, TX; Teo (Matt) Valitchka, Lake Elmo, MN; Amy (Jay) Gebhardt Berman, Albuquerque, NM; and Sherri (Chad) Rebel, Bismarck; 20 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Garland;  great-grandson, Anthony Rice; 3 sisters, Marguerite Haagenson, Nellie Knutson, and Katherine Scott; one brother, Stanley Carlile; her parents, and her very dear friend, Gunda Koble.

“ In Appreciation”

On behalf of the family we wish to thank you for your kind expressions of sympathy evidenced in thoughts and deed and for your attendance at the visitation and funeral service of our mom.  A special thank you to Ladonna Salmonson and Tracey Casavant of Southview Estates for their friendship and care as well as her housemates for all their loving care and friendship, and to Frank Schumacher, Mary, Gary and Brandon Grove and family, and Shelley and Dan Block.

Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 19^th at the First Lutheran Church in Rugby with Pastor Mike Pretzer, officiate.  Burial will take place in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Esmond at 1:15 p.m.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 18^th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a time of prayers and sharing of memories beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby.  Visitation will continue Thursday at the church for one hour prior to the service.