Violet Lavonne (Frederick) Coash-Briggs

Violet Lavonne Coash-Briggs was born on July 21^st, 1929 in Beatrice, NE to Jesse L. and Blanche A. (Birch) Frederick.  She spent her younger years growing up around Adams County before moving to her beloved Sandhills when her father took work on a ranch in Rock County.  The rolling hills and singing birds would become her first love until she met Harold Coash in eighth grade in country school.  Forced to wait until they turned 21, they would marry as soon as they could in 1950. 

Following graduation from Rock County High School in 1947, she proudly began her career as a one-room schoolhouse teacher in various country schools in Rock and Custer County.  She weathered the Children’s Blizzard of 1949 and saw her students safely home. 

Her love of teaching was outshined only by her calling of motherhood as she and Harold welcomed their first child, Don in 1951.  Don would remain an only child until 1965 when he was joined by his sisters Kimberly Anne, followed by Kristine Kay the following year.  With too much love in her heart, she selflessly mothered others along the way including Monica Winn and Lavonne’s nephew, Ken Frederick.   They operated Coash Inc. and raised their children together until Harold’s death in 1983.  In 2002, she would marry her longtime friend and classmate, Thurl Briggs.  They enjoyed their lives together in Two Harbors, MN and later Marshfield, MO until his death in 2012.  She remained in Lincoln, NE until her passing surrounded by her children following Mother’s Day. 

Lavonne was preceded in death by her parents Jesse and Blanche, husband Harold, sister Beth, husband Thurl and brother Ken.  Left to mourn her passing is her brother Robert Frederick of Maryville, TN; son Don (Paige) Coash of Basssett, daughters Kim (Bill) Yant of Carmel, CA, Kris (Brian) Porter of Nevada, MO, and Monica Turpin of Bassett.  She leaves behind seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, along with nieces, nephews and friends. 

A Graveside Memorial Service was held on Saturday, May 25, 2024 in the Bassett Memorial Park Cemetery with Pastor Dennis Quigley officiating at the event.  Music was provided by Trudy and Katie Nolles singing ”In The Garden.”  Special remarks were given by Joel Coash-Johnson.    Memorials are suggested to Rock County Alumni Association of which Lavonne was a proud founding member and longtime supporter, having missed only one alumni celebration since her own graduation.   Hoch Funeral Home of Bassett was in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com.