LaVonne Jean Gake

Longtime Gering resident LaVonne Jean Gake passed away on Monday, October 14, 2024, at Heritage Estates senior living facility, surrounded by her family. Memorial services will be held on Friday, October 25, at 10:30 a.m. in the chapel at Heritage Estates, with pastors Jeff and April Fiet officiating. A private burial service will take place later at the Ogallala Cemetery beside her husband, Lloyd. LaVonne was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Scottsbluff, NE.

LaVonne was born on July 12, 1934, on the family ranch outside Arcadia, Nebraska, to Claus and Ruby Franzen. She grew up on the Ranch with her two older sisters, Irene and Gladys, and her younger brother, Maynard. She attended country schools until moving to Ord, NE, where she lived with a couple and cared for their newborn twin girls in exchange for room and board while attending high school. After graduating, LaVonne received her teaching certificate from Kearney State College (now UNK) and began teaching at country schools near Arcadia and Loup City. She eventually became the head teacher at a one-room schoolhouse in Roscoe, NE, near Lake McConaughy.

LaVonne met Lloyd Gake on a blind date, and they were married a couple of years later, in 1960. They celebrated 55 years of marriage before Lloyd passed away in December 2015. The couple first made their home in Ogallala, where they welcomed twin daughters, Cheryl and Terryl, in 1961. LaVonne's experience caring for twins in high school came in handy as she raised her daughters. The family later moved to North Platte for a couple of years due to Lloyd’s job, where their first son, Michael, was born in 1965. 1967, the family moved to Gering, where Lloyd worked at the Gering National Guard Armory. They welcomed their youngest son, Mark, in 1968, making Gering their lifelong home.

LaVonne had a passion for cooking, canning, and crafting. She showered her children with love through her meals, with her secret ingredient being the love she poured into her cooking. Her specialties included homemade chili, burger bundles, pancakes, casseroles, and her famous pies and cakes. Her son Mark often challenged her culinary skills by bringing home large amounts of fruit, such as 5 gallons of sour cherries or 4 bushels of apples. Rising to the challenge, she made 21 sour cherry pies and numerous apple pies, cobblers, cakes, and loaves of bread. Mark was her biggest fan, as were the rest of the family. LaVonne spent many hours making crafts and gifts for her loved ones. She also enjoyed teaching her granddaughters the joy of crafting, often sitting around the table making something special whenever they visited.

In addition to her love for cooking and crafting, LaVonne enjoyed traveling and making friends. She cherished visiting her children’s homes with Lloyd, playing with her grandchildren, and experiencing many adventures. She often felt lucky, winning jackpots in Las Vegas, Reno, and the Black Hills, as well as local events and raffles, especially bingo.

Her children, Mark, Mike, Terryl, and Cheryl, and her granddaughter, Katie, took LaVonne on several trips, creating lasting memories together. Her greatest joys were her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who kept a smile on her face until the end. LaVonne was a strong woman, a loving wife and mother, and a caring grandmother. This brief reflection on her life truly does not capture the essence of the remarkable person she was.

All who knew her will deeply miss her, especially her family and friends. Heaven has gained a new angel, and LaVonne is off to new adventures until we meet again.

She was preceded by her parents, two sisters—Irene and Gladys—and her husband, Lloyd.

She is survived by her brother, Maynard; her four children, Cheryl (John) Yarkosky, Terryl (Norm) King, Michael (Joy) Gake, and Mark (Terri) Gake; seven grandchildren: Samantha (Kyle) Cadarette, Kathryn Yarkosky, Claire Gake, Paige Gake, and Aiden, William, and Lincoln Gake; and two great-grandchildren, Kaysen and Parish Cadarette.

Memorials can be made to the Gering Meals on Wheels program or Brookestone Hospice.

Mom, Grandma, and Triple G, we love you more!

Visit www.GeringChapel.com to leave a condolence and photo memories.