Date of Birth:
Thursday, October 24, 1935
Date of Death:
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Age:
90 years old

LaVonne M. Gerber

LaVonne Marian Gerber of Rochester passed away on March 19, 2026 with her loving family at her side.

LaVonne was born in Owatonna on October 24, 1935, to Edward & Evelyn (Wolff) Rysavy. She graduated from Owatonna high school in 1953. After graduation she worked at Federated Insurance Company until she met the love of her life, David Gerber. They were married on May 2, 1959, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Owatonna. In 1960 they moved to Rochester where she worked for Olmsted Federal Savings & Loan until starting a family. Once all the children were in school, she went to work for IBM until she took early retirement. Later, because she enjoyed talking to people and keeping busy, she decided to work at the Barlow/Hy-Vee as a cashier for a “fun” job for several years.

LaVonne was a long-time standing member of St. Pius X Catholic Church where she was involved and volunteered for many church activities. She also enjoyed spending time up North at the family cabin and would still laugh when reminiscing about stories that came up at family gatherings.

Even in retirement she wanted to meet new people, so she volunteered to be a greeter for their association when she and Dave moved to a townhouse community. She collected many items, her favorite being her Beanie Bear collection. Most of all, LaVonne loved cooking & baking, especially baking dozens of cookies at Christmas time. Her breads & cookies became known as “survival packages for her grandchildren at college.”

Dave always said, “She’s the best cook West of the Mississippi, especially her gravy.” Her children may challenge that and vote for the potato salad.

She was a truly devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and will be missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her husband, Dave; children, Mark of Rochester, Kathy Kitzerow of Eden Prairie, Thomas (Sherry) of Chippewa Falls, WI, Julie (Darren) Groteboer of Rochester; sister, Elaine (Ralph) Hiller; brother-in-law, Hans Hohrman of Owatonna; nine grandchildren, Reid Gerber, Matt Wheeler, Kyle Wheeler, Sam, Oliver, Alyssa, Tony Kitzerow, Alexis Groteboer and Sydney (Greg) Fautch; two great grandchildren, Bryson Wilde and Ivy Fautch of Rochester; brother-in-law, Paul, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Edward & Evelyn; sister, Karen Horman; son-in-law, Robert Kitzerow.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rochester, MN with Fr. Joachim Anumba officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on the day of the service. Bural will be at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester, MN.