Obituaries

DeForest – Peggy (Peg) Jean Lavold, age 76, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on January 24, 2025. Her strength and love for her family were evident throughout her life and her two and half year battle with neuroendocrine cancer. Peg was born on August 24,1948 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, the daughter of Dolores (Unferth) and Howard Schneiter.

Peg graduated from Portage High School in 1966, where she met her life-long partner and soulmate, Don (Steve) Lavold. The high school sweethearts were crowned prom king and queen. Peg and Steve were united in marriage at Portage Presbyterian Church in Portage on August 23, 1969. Peg graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater with an education degree. She started her teaching career in Wales and moved to DeForest to continue teaching. Peg became a stay-at-home mother with the birth of her first son, Matthew, and returned to the DeForest School District when her youngest son, Michael, went to college.

Peg’s biggest pride and joy was her family. She was a devoted wife, mom and grandmother. She enjoyed spending every available minute with her three sons and seven grandchildren. Many memories were made on family road trips to Texas, Florida, California, Yellowstone, Disney World, Washington D.C., and camping in many of Wisconsin’s beautiful state parks. When the family was at Peg’s house, it was always an adventure. The adults mingled in the house while the grandchildren played pickup games of basketball in the basement and soccer, baseball or football games in the backyard.

Peg was always there to support and cheer for her grandchildren. You could count on seeing Peg in the bleachers at many soccer, football, lacrosse, baseball and basketball games, along with music concerts and graduations.

When there was a break in the grandchildren’s schedule, Peg could be found at a supper club for dinner or playing cards with friends. She cherished many special friendships. She loved the camaraderie of playing cards with friends in the same euchre club for over 30 years and playing bridge. Peg enjoyed visiting the beaches of Perdido Key, Florida with family, Bayfield with friends and Door County with the euchre club.

Peg is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 55 years, Steve, her sons Matthew (Nicole) Lavold and their children Drew and Mason of Waunakee, Adam (Ann) Lavold and their children Connor and Kyle of Waunakee and Michael (Ali) Lavold and their children Gabe, Ian and Reid of DeForest. She is survived by her 99-year-old father Howard Schneiter, brother Gerald (Mary) Schneiter of Portage and her nephew Jon (Andrea) Schneiter and their daughters Ashley, Kennedy and Lylah of Portage. She was preceded in death by her mother Dolores Schneiter, brother Glenn Schneiter, in-laws Fay and Maynard Lavold and brother in-law Christopher Lavold.

A special thank you to Dr. Jeremy Kratz and Jenna Wilke, NP with Carbone Cancer Center; to Agrace Hospice for their support over the last month; and a heartfelt thank you to the nurses at Meriter. You touched every one of us and were essential in helping us through this difficult time. We are forever thankful.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Carbone Cancer Center: Neuroendocrine Tumor (NET) Research Fund - 112908080 in Peg’s name to support the ongoing fight against cancer and help others facing this devastating illness. Donations can be made online here. https://secure.supportuw.org/give/?custom=med04&group=carbone

We invite you to celebrate Peg’s life on Saturday, February 8, 2025. A visitation will be held from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at Ryan Funeral Home at 6924 Lake Road, DeForest. There will be a short memorial service at 5:00 pm followed by a reception at Lake Windsor Country Club.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

Windsor/DeForest Chapel

6924 Lake Road

608-846-4250