LaVonne Sorensen Jackson, 76, Minot, died Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012, in a Minot hospital.
LaVonne was born June 10, 1936, at Minot, the daughter of Axel and Lillian (Graham) Sorensen. She was raised in Minot and graduated from Minot High School in 1954. During her younger years, LaVonne moved to California and worked as a secretary for a physician's group. She became interested in drug and alcohol addiction counseling and returned to Minot to complete her training in this field. LaVonne was once married to Donald Muus. From this union a son, Paul, was born.
LaVonne married Ronald Jackson on April 14, 1968, at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Chatsworth, Calif. Ron accepted a position as the assistant city engineer in Minot after the 1969 flood. They returned to California when Ron returned to work for North American Aviation. They lived there until 1990, when they returned to Minot. LaVonne became employed as a human relations counselor for the North Central Human Services Center from 1991-2001. Ron died Oct. 25, 2008.
Ron and LaVonne were great cooks and enjoyed making dinners for relatives and friends. While living in California, they always had holiday dinners for relatives and friends from North Dakota, who had no family living there. They loved the quietness and beauty of North Dakota. Even though she lived in California on several different occasions, she was always thrilled to return home to North Dakota. She spent numerous hours training her horse, Bucky, and rescued many dogs from animal shelters, bringing them home to nurse back to health. She found great pleasure in researching her family history along with spending time with family and friends.
LaVonne was a member of the Congregational United Church of Christ, served on the Minot Railroad Museum's Public Affairs and Fund Raising committees. She served as president of the Souris Valley Danish Society for several years, as an ambassador for the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce and helped to start a local fibromyalgia support group.
Surviving family includes: sister-in-law, Edith Sorensen, Eugene, Ore.; stepson, Ronald Russell Jackson, of Beverly Hills, Calif.; and her dog, Precious.
LaVonne was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ron; and son, Paul Muus.
Celebration of Life service: Thursday, Aug. 30, at 7 p.m., in the Congregational United Church of Christ, 430 N. Broadway, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation: At her request, there will be no reviewal, however friends may sign a memorial register on Thursday, from 3 to 7 p.m., in the Congregational United Church of Christ, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Souris Valley Animal Shelter of Minot.
Those wishing to sign the online memorial register or share memories are invited to use the expressions of sympathy section at (www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com)