LaVonne Marie (Quincy) Bartlett passed away quietly on April 1, 2025 at The Avalon of Lewis Center in Ohio.

LaVonne was born May 9, 1930 in Larned, Kansas; the daughter of Floyd Wenn and Emma Mary (Hill) Quincy. LaVonne was the first of four children. All of her siblings (Floyd, Emmalou and Shirley) preceded her in death.

After graduating from Pawnee Rock High School, where she was valedictorian and excelled in music, LaVonne attended Emporia State Teacher's College. Graduating in 1952, LaVonne worked as an elementary school teacher in Great Bend, Kansas.

LaVonne met her handsome "boyfriend", Brad, while he was working at the Great Bend ATS&F Depot.  The pair married in 1955 and lived in Great Bend before moving to Hutchison in 1957. In 1959 the couple, now with a toddler and a teenager, moved to Topeka so Brad could attend Washburn University. LaVonne got a teaching position at Highland Park Central Elementary School.

LaVonne loved teaching, music, learning, and travelling. There is no job that suited LaVonne better than teaching. During her 40+ year career she taught grade school, junior high and high school levels. She loved everything about teaching...the smells, the sounds, the joy of seeing her students succeed. Nothing made her happier than meeting up with former students and seeing them shine. One memorable moment came when she prepared the entire 5&6 grades of Highland Park Central for a statewide teaching convention. The Highland Park Central choir was the entertainment. LaVonne taught 3 and 4 part harmony to all 100 kids. The program was a smashing success.

Being a life long learner, it is no surprise that LaVonne got her Masters degree at Washburn and followed up with an Administrator's Certificate from the KU Graduate Department of Education. LaVonne loved books and was an avid reader until macular degeneration stole her eyesight. She didn't let her low vision slow her down and she and Brad continued travelling locally.

Traveling was one of LaVonne's favorite activities and guilty pleasures. She was always in awe that a small town girl (Pawnee Rock, pop. 112) had seen so much of the world: Germany, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ireland, Spain, Algeria, Canada, China, and most of the U.S. including train trips through Alaska and the Southwest.

LaVonne and Brad moved to Columbus, Ohio in 2005 to be near their daughter Shannon. In Columbus, LaVonne was known for her skills restoring mid-century dolls and her love of the Kansas City Chiefs. LaVonne was a lifelong sports fan. She enjoyed all sports from girls' softball to pro football. Her love for baseball came from her father and she would tell loving stories of crowding around the radio to listen to games when she was a child.

LaVonne was of the Christian faith and a member of the Disciples of Christ Church. While in Topeka, she was an active volunteer with the Topeka Public Library and the Topeka Civic Symphony.

LaVonne is survived by daughter Shannon Bartlett and Daughter-in-law Lisa Smith (Columbus, Ohio) as well as many nieces and nephews.

Burial will be in Larned Cemetery, Larned, Kansas. Graveside service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 11th with Pastor Jarred Smith presiding.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Topeka, Ks on Saturday, April 12th at the Washburn University Student Union - Vogel Room. Festivities will be from 1-4pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Washburn University Department of Education or Topeka Public Library, both in care of Beckwith Mortuary, P.O. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com