Lavonne Edith Bowman

Lavonne Edith Bowman, age 87, of Aitkin, died on December 24, 2023, at Hennepin County Medical Center. 

A Remembrance Gathering will be held on Friday, January 5 from 1:00-1:30 p.m. at River Ridge Evangelical Free Church, 354 Carol Ct., North Mankato.  Visitation will follow the service from 1:30-4:00 p.m. at the church.  Burial will be at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.  Northview-North Mankato Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements. 

Lavonne was born on September 5, 1936, to Dale and Virgie (Adams) Lutz in Fairmont, MN.  She was the second of four children.  Her childhood was marked with mischief and a love of animals.  She graduated from Fairmont High School in 1955.  Lavonne married artist, Richard D. Bowman on April 19, 1958.  They were blessed with two children, Mark and Geraldine.  Lavonne worked for 3M until she retired in 1998.  She was active in the community with city council, Fairmont Glows, and therapy dogs.  Lavonne loved music and art and supporting others in its creation making her active with both the Fairmont Opera House in Fairmont, MN and Jacques Art Center in Aitkin, MN.  She was an accomplished artist herself creating works in charcoal, ink and pencil.  She also loved instrumental music, especially Mannheim Steamroller at Christmastime.  Being a strong woman, she never shied away from a conversation.  Many say she was opinionated and an inspiration to the women and men she helped raise.  She loved all of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren tremendously and spent time listening to their stories, advising on their art, and participating in their lives, leaving behind a legacy that won’t soon be forgotten. 

Lavonne is survived by her children, Mark (Susan) Bowman of Edgemont, SD and Geraldine (Donnie) Swanson of Mankato, MN; 5 grandchildren, Jeffery-Guy (Mary Katherine) Bowman, Sarah (Brett) Jordan, Heather (Jon) Paul, Hannah (Jeremy) Garcia, and Courtney (Clay) Goad; 13 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; sisters, Alice (Ken) Nowicki of Cottage Grove, OR and LeeVae Hakes of Aitkin, MN; and dearly loved nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Dale and Virgie; husband, Richard; brother, Arlo Lutz; brother-in-law, Richard Hakes; and nephew, Michael Nowicki.