LaVonne Ocker Obituary

LaVonne Arlene Ocker, age 80, of Albia, IA, passed away on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at Oakwood Specialty Care in Albia, under the care of EveryStep Hospice.
LaVonne was born on April 8, 1945, at the Smith Hospital in Albia, to Roy Wesley and Bertha Grace (Tyrrel) Cooper. She grew up attending school in Albia. On January 2, 1962, she was united in marriage to Allen "Lee" Ocker in Lancaster, MO, and to this union, 3 children, William, Rhonda, and Randy, were born. LaVonne and Lee shared 18 years of marriage prior to his passing on June 22, 1980.
LaVonne's younger years, she worked at Smith Laundry in Albia before going to work at Oakwood Care Center in the kitchen. She also worked in the kitchen at Monroe Care Center before finishing her working career in the kitchen at the Monroe County Hospital.
LaVonne was a member of the Church of Christ and later a member of the Albia Baptist Temple. She enjoyed being outdoors and playing baseball with her family. She also enjoyed reading, watching television, and playing cards, especially High Ball and Pitch. She was very talented at embroidering and crocheting, especially making blankets. She loved to go shopping and help Lee with his woodworking projects. Above all else, LaVonne loved her family and cherished all the time spent with them, especially her grandchildren.
LaVonne is survived by a son, Bill (Becky) Ocker; a son-in-law, Danny Caudill; 5 grandchildren, Andrew Ocker, Jessica Ocker, Mack Ocker, Heather (Lee) McDonald, and Alisha (Jon) Bower; 11 great grandchildren, Tyler, Liam, Finn, Jonas, Kai, Lyndy, LuciJo, IllaAnn, StevieJo, Billie LeeAnn, and Alexis; a sister, Lois Thomas; and a best friend, Cheri Dicks. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Lee Ocker; a son, Randy Ocker; a daughter, Rhonda Caudill, a granddaughter, Nicci Caudill; her siblings, Lela, Loren, Roy Jr., and Leola; and good friends, Barb Lovstuen and Sandy Malley.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with LaVonne's family present to greet family and friends. Visitation will also be held from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Todd Ratliff officiating. Burial will follow services at Oak View Cemetery in Albia.
An open memorial has been established to the family.