Lavonne Catherine Steckbeck

She was born in New Haven, IN. on Oct. 17, 1930 to Mary E. Burke Cayot and Clarence S. Cayot. She was educated at Precious Blood Catholic School, and Central Catholic High School in Ft. Wayne, IN. She went on to receive her registered nurse license at St. Joseph’s Hospital school of nursing and worked at St. Joseph’s hospital. She also received a badge for being a Red Cross nurse in Ft. Wayne in 1970 and was an Alzheimer’s Volunteer in Florida.

Lavonne (Bonnie) married the love of her life, Perry Steckbeck, on May 24, 1952 and together they raised nine children. Surviving are children Linda Jobe of Houston, Texas; Sandy Kimball (Tom) of Gainesville, FL.; Pam Cloutier of Tampa, FL; Peter (Lauren) of Pompano Beach FL.; Julia Steckbeck (Wendy) of Enfield, New Hampshire; Paul (Kim) of Marietta, GA; Mary Steckbeck of Ft. Lauderdale, FL.; Jeff of Ashby, Massachusetts.

Lavonne and Perry moved the family to Florida to be in a warmer climate in 1972. They resided in several cities in Florida. Lavonne received her real estate license and practiced with Keyes Realty. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic church Women’s Guild.

Later in life she wrote and published a book called Prevention and Care of Alzheimer’s disease, which is still available on Amazon. Drawing on both the experience of caring for her husband and more than 40 years as a registered nurse.

Lavonne will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and a beautiful soul who would help anyone. She enjoyed cooking, especially French, going to the beach, and spending time with her family. She will be truly missed.

She is survived by 14 grandchildren: Jennifer, Jimmy, Mary, David, Amy, Christopher (deceased), Brianna, Michael, Allie, Casey, Ryan, Savannah, Jackson, and Lucas; and 12 great grandchildren: Jeffrey, Kyle, William, Riley, Reagan, David Jr., Penny, Tommy, AJ, Huxley, Brayden, and Hunter; and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased in death by her husband Perry, son Bill, grandson Christopher, Sisters Margie Miller and Nancy Tegtmeyer, and parents Mary E. Burke Cayot and Clarence S. Cayot.

Donations in her memory may be made to Catholic Hospice by clicking on the link below.

A visitation will be held at Kraeer/Fairchild Funeral Home and Cremation Center, located at 4061 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308, on December 13, 2024, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St John the Baptist Catholic Church, 4595 Bayview Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308, on December 14, 2024, from 9:30 am. A graveside service will follow at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1500 S State Rd 7, North Lauderdale, FL 33068.