July 23, 1943 – December 21, 2025
LaVonne R. Kaasa, 82, of Mason City, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at the Heritage Care Center in Mason City.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 29, 2025, at Bethel United Methodist Church, 503 S. East Street, Manly, Iowa, with Rev. Cory Allard officiating. Burial will follow in Manly Cemetery, Manly, Iowa.
Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service at the church.
Please wear red in honor of LaVonne’s favorite color.
LaVonne Rae Ogg was born on July 23, 1943, in Mason City, Iowa, and was raised in Manly, the daughter of Jean H. and Evelyn “Jean” (Murphy) Ogg. Growing up in a family of railroaders, LaVonne learned the values of hard work, dedication, and community. She attended Manly High School and remained deeply connected to her hometown throughout her life.
On July 17, 1960, LaVonne was united in marriage to the love of her life, Bruce E. Kaasa, at Bethel United Methodist Church in Manly. They celebrated their 65th anniversary this summer. Together, they built a life rooted in faith, service, and family. They were blessed with two daughters, Julie and Jennifer, sons-in-law, and seven grandchildren.
In the 1970s, alongside many of her sorority sisters in Osage, LaVonne made the courageous decision to continue her education. She attended NIACC, and Luther College where her advisor was her brother-in-law, Harris Kaasa. She later pursued her dreams further by attending the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado.
LaVonne answered a call to ministry at a time when few women were welcomed into leadership roles. She became the third woman ordained in the United Methodist Church in Iowa and later served as the second female District Superintendent in the state. She was ordained a Deacon in 1984 and became an Elder in 1986. Her sermons were thought provoking and emotionally charged.
Throughout her ministry, LaVonne served congregations in Maxwell, Paton, Fort Dodge, Clarion, Des Moines, and Floyd, and also served as District Superintendent for the Spencer District. She was actively involved with the School of Ministry, where she interviewed and mentored new clergy. LaVonne was known for offering steady guidance and meaningful words of wisdom. She retired in 2006 after decades of faithful service.
LaVonne loved music and animals, and she always looked forward to her gatherings with friends, where spirited conversation and thoughtful discussion were shared. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Family was central to her life. She baptized her grandchildren, cherished her role as a grandmother, and left a powerful legacy that her family holds dear.
LaVonne loved traveling with Bruce. The two would often jump in the car and head out without a set destination, letting the world show them where they were meant to go, a favorite being Lake Superior.
Left to carry on her legacy are her beloved husband, Bruce Kaasa; two daughters, Julie (Keith) Pitzen of Waterloo and Jennifer (William) Heller of Clear Lake; grandchildren, Kyle Pitzen, Angel, Wyatt, Garrett, Ty, and Christopher Heller; a sister, Janice (Dean) Garcia; niece, Jaren (Bradley) Ostercamp; sister-in-law, JoAnn Kaasa; nephews and niece, Kai Kaasa, Tim (Alice) Kaasa, Joel Kaasa, and Doy (Chad) Gilbert; as well as extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant son, Christopher; Bruce’s siblings, Harris (Haldis) Kaasa, Merwyn “Bud” Kaasa, and Carol Turner; and a cousin, Diane Joines Ring.
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