LaVonne Irene Priester's Obituary
LaVonne Irene Wiedrich Priester passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus, after a short battle with glioblastoma, December 28, 2025, at the age of 75 in Milwaukie, Oregon. LaVonne was born In Riverdale, North Dakota to Benjamin and Irene (Flemmer) Wiedrich on November 7, 1950. She graduated from Clackamas High School and started beauty school shortly thereafter. LaVonne still holds the second highest score in the written state exams for Oregon Cosmetology. Her talent as a hairdresser is legendary. She at one point not only owned one of her own beauty salons, The Blue Velvet, but two shops in Milwaukie. The second one being The Tiki. Her customers were very loyal and sat in her chair weekly…not only getting to know LaVonne but considering her part of the family. She loved her career. Due to an onset of adverse reactions of the coloring and perming agents, LaVonne changed her career. She began her long career at Key Bank. She began as a teller, working her way into the training department. Her strong understanding of Key’s policies, along with her bubbly personality, made her one of the most respected trainers at Key Bank. LaVonne was very proud of her second career and took pride in training future employees of Key, encouraging them to carry her value of customer service and dedication into each branch. After retiring from Key Bank, LaVonne once again spent her time serving a community. This community was extremely important to her…the community of Zion Lutheran Church in Oregon City, a church she had attended since she was 4 years old. Being the administrative assistant for the church put LaVonne as the face of Zion. Anyone who walked through the church doors throughout the week was greeted by her warmth, compassion and bubbly laughter and smile. She remained in that position until her death.
LaVonne loved music. She was proud that in all four years of high school she was part of the Acapella choir. To be accepted into that choir as a freshman was a remarkable accomplishment. She was an accomplished singer and at one point even sang in a country band. Her most happy times at Zion were spent singing in the choir, often soloing, singing duets or trios with Eileen and friend, Nancy, and performing in Zion talent shows. Who will ever forget Eileen and LaVonne performing as Sonny And Cher?? For years, Lavonne performed in the Portland Singing Christmas Tree, always in the second or third row, dead center of the tree because she hated heights!!! LaVonne made friends, who became family, all along the way. Spending hours cross stitching, LaVonne enjoyed giving those creations away to family and friends regardless of the long hours spent creating them. She was also an avid puzzle person. Anyone who walked into her house was treated to a cup of tea and a seat at the table to help her put a puzzle together. Nothing less than 1000 pieces was an acceptable puzzle.
LaVonne is survived by one brother, DuWayne Wiedrich (Norma) and three sisters, Geraldine Keeler (George), Eileen Wiedrich, Janet Estoup (Michael), along with nieces and nephews and several great nieces and a great nephew. Also surviving LaVonne are several stepchildren, step grandchildren, and step great grandchildren, all of whom she thought of as her own.
LaVonne was greeted in Heaven by her parents, Ben and Irene, and nephew Alexander, along with ex-husband Leonard whom she married in 1980.
LaVonne’s Celebration of Life will take place at her beloved Zion Lutheran Church 720 Jefferson, Oregon City January 10, 2026, at 11:00 am with her “boss”, friend and confidant Reverend John Stevens presiding. A private Internment will take place at Mountain View Cemetery in Oregon City where LaVonne will rest for eternity alongside her parents and very close to her godchild, Alex.
To honor LaVonne and her love for her church, the family is asking that donations be made in LaVonne’s name to Zion Lutheran Church in Oregon City, Oregon.
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