Lavone Marie Nielsen was born on October 3, 1928 in Berlin, Wisconsin She was the only child of Frank and Anna Marie (Anderson) Omacht. On June 2, 1929 she was Baptized at her families home in Siren, Wisconsin. She was confirmed in the Lutheran Faith in River Falls, Wisconsin on May 23, 1945. Her family lived in several places in Wisconsin as she grew up, but ended up in Polk County. She graduated from the Milltown High School. It was while living in Milltown where she met Elmer Nielsen. They were married at the Milltown Lutheran Church on August 7, 1948 and together they had three children. They lived in St. Paul for a number of years before moving to Amery, Wisconsin in 1958. Elmer operated his own business in Amery and Lavone was the bookkeeper. She also operated Circle N Saddlery from their home where they sold horse supplies. She has been a member of First Lutheran Church since moving to Amery. She was active in the Dallas Saddle Club, Apple River RV Club, 500 Card Club, Red Hat Society and the Volga Homemakers. She was a charter member of the Amery Snowmobile Club, at the time known as Snow A Go Go.
Lavone had traveled with her daughter Renae to see her grandson graduate from Basic Training. They were on their way home and while stopping for lunch in Stillwater she suffered a stroke. Lavone died a short time later at United Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota on Monday February 14, 2011 at the age of 82 years.
She is survived by her three children, Barry Nielsen of Web Lake, WI; Marcia (Mark) Johnson of Amery; Renae Bethell of Amery, WI; nine grandchildren, Jeff Nielsen of Amery; Katie (James) McAlpine of Rogers, MN; Michelle Johnson of Minneapolis; Melinda Johnson of Wyoming, MN; Mitchell Johnson of Granger, IA; Maxwell Johnson of Duluth, MN; Cassandra Bethell of Wyoming, MN; Erik Bethell of Fort Sill, OK; Alexander Bethell of Rice Lake, WI; two great grandchildren, Carter Nielsen, and Samuel McAlpine.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 18, 2011 at First Lutheran Church in Amery, Wisconsin with Pastor Tim Bjorge officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday February 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. and for the hour prior to services at the church. Vocalists will be Joel and Becky Sunde. Organist will be Julie Selle. Lavone's grandchildren served as casketbearers. Private interment will be at a later date in the Milltown Cemetery. The Williamson-White Funeral Home and Cremation Services assisted the family with arrangements.