Lavone M. Smoley

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in St. Stephen for Lavone M. Smoley, age 97, of St. Stephen, who passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in Albany. Reverend Ron Weyrens will officiate. Burial will be in the St. Stephen Parish Cemetery in St. Stephen. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in St. Stephen.

Lavone was born on June 11, 1928 to Carl and Angeline (Blenkush) Knettel in St. Cloud, Minnesota. She grew up on the family farm in Brockway Township and eventually earned her High School Diploma later on in life. She was united in marriage to Anton G. “Tony” Smoley on June 3, 1947 at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in St. Stephen. Throughout her life, Lavone had a number of jobs, but was primarily a home maker. She was a wonderful mother and loving wife who took great pride in raising her family on their family farm. She did an amazing job of raising her seven children and keeping Tony fed with his favorite desserts. She was a member of St. Stephen’s Catholic Church where she meticulously cared for the church flowers, a member of the St. Stephen Christian Women and the St. Stephen American Legion Post #221 Women’s Auxiliary.

Lavone was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who loved to spend time with her family and friends. Lavone enjoyed playing cards, especially Kings in the Corner, where she loved to be competitive and win. She also enjoyed raising and selling chickens during the summer on the farm. She also enjoyed maintaining a meticulous appearance, especially making sure to have her hair done. She will be remembered for her love of family and her kind, fair and loving nature.

She is survived by her children, Larry, Greg (Gretchen), Susie (Joe) Helm, Diane Drissel, Mary Berger, Joy (Joel) Wood, and Danny; 14 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren; siblings, Anita Roscoe, Margorie Massmann, Joe (Marge) Knettel, Elaine (Mel) Majerus, and Teresea (Greg) Ebnet; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Lavone is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Tony; daughter-in-law, JoAnn; sons-in-law, Dave Drissel and Keith Berger; sisters, Valaria (Don) Erickson, Mary (Fermin) Pogatchnik and Lorraine (Gerald) Ross; brothers,  Raymond (Clara) and Robert Knettel; and brothers-in-law, Steve Roscoe and Daniel Massmann.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

A special thank you to the staff of Moments Hospice and Mother of Mercy Nursing Home for their loving and compassionate care of Lavone.