Lavonne Diane Coleburn went to be with her Lord on April 26, 2007 at the age of 71, following a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. She died peacefully with her family at her side. She was born Aug. 25, 1935 in Duluth, Minn., to David and Martha (Turri) Strand.
Lavonne began her life in Duluth. At an early age, her family moved to Kingston, Wash. Lavonne met a young Navy man in Kingston and on Jan. 17, 1953, she and William Jack Coleburn were married.
Jack Coleburn became a pastor and Lavonne began her life as a pastor’s wife. Lavonne attended Southern California College. The Coleburns went on to pioneer a church in Qual Valley, Calif. Their final move was to the Assembly of God Church in Colton, Calif., which became home for the next 27 years.
Following retirement, the Coleburns began to travel. They visited much of Europe and Asia and the United States. Lavonne was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1972, but that did not stop their travels. In 2002, Lavonne and Jack moved to Whidbey Island and began work on yet another church building effort in the Coupeville area. Lavonne’s struggle with Parkinson’s also increased.
Lavonne loved being a pastor’s wife. She loved to share God’s word with anyone who would listen. She collected photographs of many important and well-known people and many pastors and their families, placing them in her scrapbook and praying for each and everyone on a daily basis. One of her favorites was Mohammed Ali.
Lavonne was also very proud of her children, all of whom are actively involved in ministry. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Lavonne is survived by her husband William Coleburn at the family home Coupeville; three children and their spouses, Susan and Kim Starr of Colton, Calif., William and Denise Coleburn of Anacortes, and Michael and Michelle Coleburn of Coupeville; six grandchildren, Kimberly Abdella and Heather Jackson, both of Las Vegas, Amanda Stewart of Vancouver, B.C., Ashley Carr of Anacortes, Matthew Coleburn of Coupeville and Melanie Raymond of Corona, Calif.; and eight great-grandchildren, Scott and Kyle Starr, Madison and Gary Abdella, Noelle and Jack Jackson, Lucianne Marie and Wyatt Michael William Coleburn. Lavonne also has three brothers, Dennis, Dale and John Strand and one sister, Debi Harrier, who also survive.
Funeral services for Lavonne Coleburn will be held at Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor, on Wednesday, May 2, at 10 a.m. with Pastor Kim Starr officiating. Graveside services will follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.
