Lavon R Bartsch

A livestream of Lavon's memorial service and committal rites can be viewed at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 19th by clicking on "read more" and scrolling to the bottom of her obituary.

Lavon R. Bartsch, age 85, of Granton, WI passed away on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at the House of the Dove in Marshfield, WI.

Lavon Rachel Garbisch was born on June 3, 1935 in Grant Township, WI the daughter of Frederick and Helen (Schuelke) Garbisch.  She was raised on the family farm and helped with many farm chores.  She belonged to the Pleasant Ridge 4-H club and showed dairy cattle and chickens at the Clark County Fair.  Lavon worked at a strawberry farm in Alma Center, WI during the summers picking strawberries while she was in high school.  She also worked at a resort in Minocqua, WI with her friend Lila Schmitz for a few summers.

She attended Kurth School for grades one through six and Zion Lutheran School for grades seven and eight.  She graduated from Granton High School in 1953.  Lavon attended Wood County Normal School in Wis. Rapids, graduating with a teaching degree in 1955.  She taught all eight grades at Shortville, Wild Rose, and Kurth schools.

Lavon was united in marriage to Donald Bartsch on June 2, 1956.  She helped Don on the farm and did substitute teaching, worked at the Granton sale barn, and Friendship Manor in Marshfield.

Lavon was very active in her church; teaching Sunday School and VBS.  She was a member of the church choir, Ladies Aid, and LWML.  She was the unofficial “Greeter” of the church, welcoming everyone.  She was a member of the New York Homemakers Club.  Lavon and Don bowled for many years in the Sunday night bowling league at Loyal and were the Citizens of the Year for the 2014 Granton Fall Festival.

She is survived by her children, Rhonda (Angelo) Doud of Burlington, IA, Russell of Marshfield and Ronald of Granton.  She is futher survived by grandchildren, Megan (Dane) Feenstra, Brittany (Ed) Prill,  Natalee Doud, Brooke Jordan, Kayla (Tom) Buttke, Rick (Angela Kowal) Bartsch  and eight great grandchildren.   Lavon is also survived by siblings, Frederick  “Fritz” (Kathy) Garbisch of Granton, Elsie (Terry) Sischo of Neillsville, John (Lois) Garbisch of Granton and many nieces & nephews.  Special family Theresa and Kim Stargardt and their children Laci and Taron. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a granddaughter Kari, nephews and Godsons Randy Garbisch and Bradley Garbisch, a brother Ronald (sister in law Annabelle) Garbisch and a sister Evelyn.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Granton, WI at 11:00 a.m., Saturday June 19, 2021.  Visitation 9:00-11:00 a.m. with funeral service to follow.  Burial will be at the church cemetery.

Lavon’s family would like to thank the caregivers at the House of the Dove for the compassionate care given to Lavon during her short stay.  Also, special thanks to Dr. Mayeux, Dr. Fagbemi and their assistants for the excellent medical care through the years.