LaVonda Gordon

LaVonda “Sissy” Mae (Warmuskerken) Gordon, born March 23, 1945, in Lawrence, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 29, 2026, at Hallmark Care Center in Mount Vernon, Iowa, surrounded by her family.

Funeral: 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 11, 2026, with a visitation from 9:00-10:30 a.m., Clover Ridge Methodist Church, Walford, Iowa. Burial: Hala Cemetery, Swisher, Iowa. Papich-Kuba Funeral Service, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is assisting the family with arrangements.

At the age of five, LaVonda moved with her mother and brother to Iowa, where she grew up and later built a life centered on love, hard work, and devotion to those closest to her.

LaVonda graduated from Jefferson High School on June 5, 1964. Shortly thereafter, on June 7, 1964, she married the love of her life, Kenneth Gordon. Together, they built a strong and loving marriage and were blessed with four children, who were the center of her world.

Known for her strong work ethic and dedication, LaVonda worked at Amana Woolen Mills, Howard Johnson, helped Kenneth run the family business, and later worked as a courier. In every role, she offered her steady support, care, and determination to help provide for her family’s success.

Above all, LaVonda cherished her family. Her greatest joys in life were the moments she spent with her children and grandchildren, creating lasting memories filled with laughter and love. She also enjoyed driving, whether for work or while traveling for fun, and found happiness in exploring new places and sharing those experiences with the people she loved most.

She is survived by her children, Kenneth Gordon of Cedar Rapids, Vicky Gordon of Blairstown, Iowa, Kelly Gordon and his wife, Melinda, of Palo, Iowa, and Carrie Emerson and her husband, Carl, of Appleton City, Missouri; as well as her half-sister, Barbara Payne of Michigan.

LaVonda was also a proud and loving grandmother to Justin, Chandler, Chase and his girlfriend, Christina, Rachel, Nina and her boyfriend, Troy, Georgia and her husband, Dennis, Chance, Donald, CJ and his girlfriend, Rachel, Jennifer, Elizabeth, and Emily. She was further blessed with 20 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; along with several nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

LaVonda was preceded in death by her parents; Francis and Rachel (Howe) Warmuskerken; husband; Kenneth Gordon; siblings, Charles Warmuskerken and Otis Warmuskerken; and brother-in-law, Micky Payne.

LaVonda will be remembered for her warmth, kindness, and unwavering devotion to her family. Her legacy lives on in the hearts and lives of those she touched, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.