LaVonne T. McKay

LaVonne T. McKay, 73 of Devils Lake, ND died early Sunday morning, June 13, 2010 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake. Funeral Services for LaVonne will be held on Friday, June 18, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Harold Ovre will officiate and burial will be in St. Hans Cemetery, rural Edmore, ND. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday, June 17th from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Friday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for LaVonne will be: Karl and Edward Krogfoss, Jim LaMotte, Mike Thomas, and Kevin Gathman. Music will be provided by Patty Cote. LaVonne Thelma Krogfoss was born on January 8, 1937 in Derrick, North Dakota, the daughter of Charles and Thelma (Strand) Krogfoss. At a very young age, LaVonne moved with the family to the Edmore area living there until 1948, then moving to Devils Lake where LaVonne would make her home through the years. LaVonne married Michael W. Schmidt in 1953. They established their home in Devils Lake and raised their family. LaVonne worked as a waitress and hostess at The Ranch and also at the Elks Club. Michael died in 1978 in Great Falls, Montana. On January 4, 1975, LaVonne was united in marriage to Alan D. McKay. They worked side by side as the owners and operators of Mac’s Bar and Lounge for many years. LaVonne also was the House Manager at several Devils Lake casinos and in the winter months she worked as a “pit boss” in Las Vegas. Alan died on February 3, 1989. LaVonne was a member of Peace Lutheran Church and the Elkettes. LaVonne had several passions in life and gardening, bowling, and dancing were just a few of them. She participated in League Bowling for many years and was awarded a Singles Bowling Championship. In the later years she enjoyed boating on Devils Lake. But her greatest passion was to be a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. LaVonne is survived by her children: Michael Schmidt and his special friend, Jan Thompson, Larry Schmidt and his special friend, Lori Stevenson, both of Devils Lake and her daughter Tamra Schmidt of Santa Cruz, California; three grandchildren, Michelle (Eric) Dittus of Bismarck, Shane Schmidt and his special friend, Taryn Runck of Mankato, Minnesota, and Justin Schmidt of San Diego, California and one great granddaughter, Alissa Dittus; brothers; John, Tom (Lily), Nate, and Karl(Jeanette) Krogfoss and sisters; Avis Peterson, Doris (Mike) Bachmeier, Myrtle (Ron) Sager and Charlotte Green; and many nieces, nephews and their families. Preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Michael Schmidt and Alan McKay; brother, Leslie Krogfoss and sister, Susan (Krogfoss) Grant.