Hometown: Oxford Junction, Iowa July 22, 1920 - February 12, 2016

LaVon M. Benischek ,95, passed away Friday, February 12, 2016 at Wheatland Manor with her family by her side. Funeral services will be 3:00 PM Tuesday February 16, 2016, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oxford Junction, IA. Interment will be in Mayflower Cemetery, rural Oxford Junction. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday at the church.

LaVon was born on July 22, 1920 in rural Clinton County, IA the second daughter to John Earl and Amanda (Ruchotzke) Shoaff. She attended country school and graduated from the Clarence High School in 1938. Later in life she was proud to become Serve Safe Certified. LaVon married Raymond Benischek on September, 23, 1939 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oxford Junction, IA.

LaVon was a business woman and entrepreneur and was skilled in many trades. She helped her husband farm until 1958. She was a bookkeeper for their business Rite-Way Sales, and together they owned a hardware store, Ra-Von Sales, of Oxford Junction, IA. LaVon was a longtime member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She was very involved in the Oxford Junction Senior Center. She was a mother to many, and fostered many children through the years.

LaVon was well known as a pillar in the Oxford Junction community. She wore many hats and was proud to help another out at any time. She served as Grand Marshall, was the site manager of the Meals program at the Senior Center for many years and overall was 'Grandma' to anyone, sharing a smile and helping hand whenever needed. There was never an adventure LaVon did not embrace with her family. LaVon was very proud of the life she lived and her family was her pride and joy. She often said her family was the inspiration for the full life she lived. LaVon is survived by her two children; Joan (Steve) Barth of Melbourne, Florida, Patricia (Karl "Chris") Dona of Delmar, 9 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren, with two more on the way later this year. LaVon was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Raymond, a brother Elmer Shoaff, a sister Edna Shoaff, her daughter Vonnie Rae Werden and two grandchildren; Steven Robert Barth II and Linda Dona.