LaVona Evelina Schnaithman, age 91 years and 5 months, passed peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, October 14, 2018 at the Commons in Enid. She was born on a farm near Helena, to Kenneth Orlando and Grace Viola (Hawkins) Thralls. LaVona moved with her family from Helena to Billings, when her father, “K.O.” accepted the call to serve as pastor at the Antelope Valley Church of the Brethren. Another teenager in the congregation, the late Paul G. Schnaithman turned out to be a significant influence in her life and eventually became her spouse of almost 55 years.
LaVona graduated from Garber High School in 1945 and McPherson College in 1949. She worked as an Oklahoma State Extension service agent in the Paul’s Valley area before she and Paul were married on August 24th, 1952. They remained in the Billings area and were life-long members of the Antelope Valley Church where LaVona was active in many different ways--- from leading the adult Sunday School class, serving as a Deacon and member of the church board, coordinating numerous church activities as part of the women’s fellowship, to assuring an attractive floral accent or centerpiece was in place each week-often using the resources from her own flower and rose garden or hand-crafted wheat weavings.
As a partner with Paul in the family farming and ranching operation, LaVona was most comfortable working behind the scenes and in her own quiet way keeping things moving forward. If a task needed doing, she figured it out. She was equally at home hauling a load of wheat to the elevator as she was designing a fancy detail for a sewing project. She and Paul worked to incorporate conservation practices in their farming operation and were honored to receive the Farm Family of the Year award at the Oklahoma State Fair in 1974,
The lessons she instilled in her family were the importance of service to others, the value of “sweat equity” as a welcome commodity in any organization or group, and the springboard that learning provides for life’s journey.
LaVona is survived by her children: Beverly (Cliff) Smith of Thomas, Karen (Doug) Buzzard of Hunter, Paula (Steve) Vincent of Sagle, Idaho, and David (Paula Thedford) Schnaithman. Grandchildren: LaRena (Brad) Casey, Jerome (Dia) Smith; Brody (Kira) Buzzard, Mollie (Vic) Treadway, Micah (Jessica) Buzzard, Aaron (Molly) Vincent, Aurora Vincent, Laurel Schnaithman, Levi (Michelle) Schnaithman, Hannah (Shane) Reid, and Luke Schnaithman. Great Grandchildren: Hagan, Caden, Raiden Casey; Makenna, Makyla and Makord Smith; Maizy and Maren Buzzard, Noah Crouch and Sloane Buzzard; Darwin Young and Elaina Kienzle. Sister, Vernona (Jack) Storck of Bella Vista, AR and sisters-in-law, Carolyn Schnaithman of Enid, Ann Harms of Haxtun, CO and Shirley Thralls, of Oceanside, CA.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers Rex, Don and Roy Thralls, sister-in-law Dona Rae Thralls, and brothers-in-law Myron Schnaithman and Norris Harms.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Antelope Valley Church of the Brethren, south of Billings,. Pastor James Yoder will be officiating with assistance from Pastor John Holderread. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Enid at 3:00 PM. The family will greet friends from 5:00 to 6:30 PM on Friday, October 19th at the Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home, 2800 North Van Buren, Enid. Memorials may be made to the Antelope Valley Church of the Brethren, Billings; McPherson College, McPherson, Kansas; or Heifer International with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.
Condolences may be made and service viewed online at www.ladusauevans.com.
To send flowers to the family of LaVona Evelina Schnaithman (Thralls), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
