Lavonne P. Olnes

Lavonne P. Olnes, 96, of Norfolk, NE, formerly of Petersburg, NE, passed away at Faith Health in Norfolk, NE, on Saturday, September 12, 2026.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church in Albion, NE, with Vicar Keith Powell officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Albion, NE.Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service at church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family for a later designation.

Levander Funeral Home of Albion, NE is in charge of arrangements.

Lavonne Pearl Olnes, was born on March 14, 1930, in rural Primrose, NE to Johan Albert and Margaret (Cegavske) Schademann. She was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, NE in 1930 and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Albion, NE in 1944. Lavonne graduated from Albion High School in 1948.

Lavonne received Normal Training and later moved back to Albion where she taught in country schools. During this time, she met a young farmer named Lowell Olnes. The couple were married on April 20, 1951, and moved to the family farm east of Petersburg, NE. Lavonne lived on the family farm until she and her husband retired, moving into Petersburg in 2000.

Lavonne was an active member at Immanual Zion North Branch Church in rural Petersburg, NE. She later became a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Albion. For many years Lavonne worked at the IGA grocery store in Albion and enjoyed visiting with all her customers. She also loved spending time with her family, traveling, having picnics, and making quilts.

She is survived by her daughter: Lowellyn “Lou” (Barry) Steinkraus of Plainview, NE; Dale (Veronica) Olnes of Petersburg, NE; grandchildren: Stephanie (Rob) Cox; Brenda (John) Ryan; Gina (Jim) Pavelka; Angela Olnes; Shawn Olnes; Brian (Kristin) Steinkraus; Laura (Ward) Frahm; Lisa (Travis) Montgomery; John (Dani) Steinkraus; Jessica (fiancé Jeremy Shell) Olnes; Casondra (Shawn) Andersen; Maria (Patrick) Brown; Andrea (Arliss) Hanson; as well as many great-grandchildren; other relatives; and friends.

Lavonne was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Lowell Olnes in 2008; son: Eugene Olnes; grandchildren: Jeremy Olnes; Amanda Olnes; great-granddaughters: Jenna Cox; Marie Red Cloud; brothers: Lester (Dorothy) Schademann; Marvin (Marlene) Schademann; and sister: Iola (husbands: Vernie Fox and Merlin Gaffy) Fox-Gaffy.