LaVonne Schott
LaVonne Kay (Peterson) Schott was born February 8, 1932, in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. She passed away July 10, 2026, in Kirkland, Washington, with her daughter and son-in-law at her side.
LaVonne grew up on a farm near Pelican Rapids, the youngest of two children born to Knute Peterson and Luella J. Clausen. She left the farm in her late teens to move to the big city of Fargo, where she attended the Dakota Business College as well as working for the head of the college. That move proved to be life-changing when she met her future husband, Clarence Schott, who was also a student there.
But first she was destined for adventure in Washington D.C., where she moved to work for a North Dakota congressman. From Minnesota farm girl to walking the halls of Congress! This experience may have fostered her lifelong interest in politics.
But young love can’t be stopped. Clarence had moved to Seattle, Washington, and finally LaVonne left her job in D.C. to join him. Their motto became, “To say ‘I do’ in ’52!” They met that goal just in time as they were married December 24, 1952, in Tacoma, Washington—the start of almost 73 years of marriage.
LaVonne and Clarence started their family a couple years later with the birth of their son Cory. But LaVonne made headlines when their daughter LaFay was born on the Lake Washington Floating Bridge on the highway across Lake Washington on the way to the hospital.
As a young mother, LaVonne was supportive of her children’s activities, whether it was Cory’s Little League games or LaFay’s horseback riding. But unlike many women of her generation, she embraced the working world as well. She was very involved in local politics and then got a job in the Bellevue School District administration office where she worked until her retirement.
LaVonne loved all things lavender/purple and it became her signature color. She also loved to travel, at least if sunshine was involved. She and Clarence regularly spent time on Maui. Their summer home on Blue Lake in sunny Eastern Washington was sometimes known as “Little Hawaii.”
Hydroplane races and football became her favorite sports. She always watched the hydroplanes at Seattle Seafair, but even traveled to Eastern Washington and California to see the races. She and Clarence were avid fans of the Seattle Seahawks and the University of Washington Husky football team. (Although no one knows if LaVonne’s love of the Huskies was because of the sport or because their team color was purple!) It was a highlight trip for LaVonne and Clarence to go to the Rosebowl game when the UW qualified for the playoffs.
Although LaVonne could be the quiet one in the room, the one thing that she was always outspoken about was her love of animals, especially cats. From the time she was a little girl to just a year before her death, she had many beloved furry companions. You could always get a smile from her with a cat-themed card or shirt or trinket. Clarence sometimes laughed and said, “She may love the cats more than me!” She could never bear to hear of animals being hurt and was generous in support of organizations focused on animal protection.
LaVonne is survived by her daughter LaFay (Bob) Dillon, her two grandchildren Miles (Devi) Dillon and Morgan Sibolski, three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Clarence, her son Cory, her brother Palmer, and her beloved cat Hunter.
The family is deeply appreciative of LaVonne’s neighbors, friends, and caregivers who helped her in her wish to remain in her home. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
To honor LaVonne’s wish to “help the animals,” please consider a donation to (Arlington, WA) or the Maui Humane Society.