LaVonne Ledbetter Dies At 82

Former LaBelle, Florida Civic Leader

LaVonne Ledbetter, age 82, of Buffalo Lake, formerly of LaBelle, Florida, passed away Monday, September 2, 2013, at the Buffalo Lake Healthcare Center.

In 1972 LaVonne and Charles established a tree farm business on land they purchased near Alva, Florida. In 1989 the tree farm was sold, and they relocated to Port LaBelle in 2001.  

LaVonne was an active member of Friends of the LaBelle City library, coordinated the used book project for many years. She was active supporter of the LaBelle Firehouse Theater group. 

They joined the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, and LaVonne actively served on committees, the ECW, and as delegate to the conventions. She became a Lay Eucharistic Minister in December of 2001.

LaVonne Elinor Ledbetter was born April 4, 1931, in Preston Lake Township, Renville County, Minnesota. Her parents were Walton and Della (Schafer) Fischer. LaVonne was baptized and confirmed in the Zion United Methodist Church. She attended District 57 Elementary School, and the Buffalo Lake High School, graduating in May, 1949.

LaVonne worked for Northern States Power Company for eight months in Minneapolis prior to attending college in Kansas City, Missouri. She went to work in Washington D.C., and in 1952 transferred to  Germany, working in Frankfurt and Nuremberg.

In 1953, LaVonne was introduced to First Lt. Charles B. Ledbetter III, and two months later they were married. They lived in Germany during their first months together. Upon returning to the United States, they made their home in Coral Gables, Florida, where they lived for 25 years.

LaVonne was an active member of St. Philips Episcopal Church, a volunteer at South Miami Hospital and Science Museum of Miami, and a member of the Cotillion Club. 

Charles passed away in March, 2009. LaVonne continued to live in Florida for a few years before returning home to Buffalo Lake to be with family and friends. She became active with the Zion United Methodist Church, but also joined in many activities with the Zion Ev. Lutheran Church.

Throughout their years together, LaVonne and Charles traveled to Europe, the Bahamas, Mexico, Canada, and within the United States. They were seldom without a dog. Most often their pet companion was a Springer Spaniel, as they enjoyed hunting together.

A shared ownership of a Cessna 185 airplane allowed them to attend hunt camp on the weekends.

LaVonne is survived by her Brother: Leeland Fischer and his Wife Joan of Buffalo Lake; Sisters: Carol Tucker of Buffalo Lake, and Sister-in-Law: Belinda Fischer of Dallas, Texas; Nieces, Nephews, other relatives, and many friends. LaVonne was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband Charles Ledbetter, Brother Dennis Fischer, and Brother-in-Law Vincent Lauricella.

Her remains will be transported to LaBelle for interment at the Garden of Peace at the Church of the Good Shepherd in LaBelle. A memorial service is planned for LaBelle, time to be announced later.