LaVaughn Leone (Hanson) Govig

LaVaughn L. Govig, 93, of New London, died Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at Carris Health Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.  A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 23, 2021, at Peace Lutheran Church in New London.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The Nature Conservancy.  Services are entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home in New London. www.hafh.org 

LaVaughn Leone (Hanson) Govig was born August 22, 1928, in New London, Minnesota, the daughter of Walter and Thelma (Norby ) Hanson. LaVaughn grew up in New London and graduated from the New London High School in1946.

She worked for Northwestern Bell in Willmar, MN. There she met the love of her life, Dean Govig. They were united in marriage on November 21, 1953. This union was blessed with a son and three daughters. The family made their home in Minneapolis while Dean was attending dental school. In 1960 they moved to Montevideo, where Dean set up a dental practice, and together they raised their four children

LaVaughn was an active member of the Montevideo community. They were members of The United Methodist Church where LaVaughn taught Sunday School, led the Cherub Choir, and belonged to her circle group which helped with funerals and other church events.  LaVaughn was a girl scout leader and taught her troop many skills to earn their badges.  LaVaughn and close friend Rita Benson, co-founded " Santa Anonymous." Together they raised money, bought and wrapped hundreds of gifts, and donated to families in need during the holidays. She was also committed to delivering Meals on Wheels. 

They spent summers at Green Lake and eventually made that their full-time residence. LaVaughn was an avid walker but never went empty-handed. She left with an empty bag and collected garbage along the way.  It always came back full. Once they moved to Spicer, they joined Peace Lutheran Church where she was currently a member.

LaVaughn loved to dance, garden, travel, and was a gifted knitter. She had a beloved group called the “knitwits” where she created hundreds of beautiful afghans, sweaters, mittens, and scarves. She loved spending time with her friends and family and always had a hot meal ready for company. She will be remembered as a devoted wife, wonderful mother and grandmother “gma Bonn” and good friend to many she met in her long life.

She is survived by her four children: Craig (Mary Mercil) Govig of LaPorte, MN, Kimberly (Stuart) Anderson of Northwood, IA, Tammy (Mike) Bourgon of Fort Myers Beach, Fl, Keri (Richard) Johannes of Eagan, MN; grandchildren: Justin (Jessica), Kendra (Seth), Kirstin (Clint), Sarah (Mark), Aaron, Laura, Jody, Moriah, and Kyle; step-grandchildren; Chad (Addie) Anderson, Nick (Rachel) Johannes, and Blake Johannes; and 14 great-grandchildren.

LaVaughn was preceded in death by her husband, Dean; parents, Walter and Thelma Hanson; and brothers, Jimmy and Gene Hanson.   

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