LaVonne Bertelson Obituary (2012)

LaVonne June (Fitch) Sharp-Bertelson passed away Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at age 87 at the Good Samaritan Center in Indianola where she resided the past 2 years. LaVonne was born in Missouri Valley, Iowa on August 19, 1924 to Dr. Hugh C. Fitch, DVM and Christie Mae (Stevens) Fitch. She was the oldest of 3 children. LaVonne played the oboe and clarinet in her high school marching band. She also became an accomplished pianist. Most of all she loved to sing. She sang at many weddings and funerals throughout high school and college and later was a long standing member of the Indianola Methodist Church Adult Choir. LaVonne belonged to the Indianola Music Club and looked forward to attending the annual Opera Festival at Simpson each summer. LaVonne loved her family and always felt the need to take care of everyone all the time. LaVonne began her working career in the 60's. Her first job was at the Utica, a clothing store downtown Des Moines, where she sold men's suits. If you sold a hat, you got and extra $5! She thoroughly enjoyed selling. After the Utica closed, she went to work at The Stationary Store also downtown. The Stationary Store closed ad she began working at a dentist's office. She worked for many years for Dr.'s Jim and E.J. Sommers. When their office moved to West Des Moines, she took a job working for the Voter Registration Office where she eventually retired. LaVonne attended Simpson College for 2 years where she was pursuing a degree in elementary music education. She was a member of the Delta Delta Delta Sorority. It was at Simpson that she met her future husband Weston E. Sharp, a dashing airplane pilot in the Army Air Corps. They loved flying in his open cockpit Stearman. LaVonne and Weston were married in 1944 and over the next 10 years had 4 children. Weston passed away in 1975. In 1991 LaVonne reconnected with her high school sweetheart Bob Bertelson. In 1994 they married. LaVonne and Bob had several good years together. They traveled and enjoyed their many friends before Bob suffered a stroke and passed away in 1996. LaVonne is survived by her brother, Conrad Fitch of MN. and her sister, Joyce(Rolland)Debower of NE.; Children Connie/Carolyn Andrews of Watkinsville, GA., Terry(Debbie)Sharp of Indianola, Tim(Sallie)Sharp of Indianola and Candace(Wayne)Ludlow of Des Moines; 10 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren. LaVonne was preceded in death by her parents. We give heartfelt thanks to the wonderful people at the Indianola Good Samaritan Center who cared for LaVonne (and for us) and to the amazing staff at HCI who's gentle care helps more than just the patient.