Harts to serve as fair grand marshals

Fair honors local Veterans with the theme,” Red, White and Blue, Veteran’s, We Honor You.” How fitting is it that the couple that will be honored as this year’s Grand Marshals were a part of the United States military before returning to the Haxtun area to settle down and raise a family — and have since remained active in the American Legion and Women’s Auxiliary. 

Phil and LaVonne Hart are this year’s honored guests at the Phillips County Fair and while they have been active and supportive of the armed forces, they have also played a major role for Haxtun youth to be active in 4-H and FFA. 

Phil Hart was born in Sterling to Ellis and Doris Hart, one of three children. He attended two-and-a-half years of school in Haxtun before transferring to Fleming where he later graduated as a Wildcat with the Class of 1956. Phil went to college for a year in Fort Collins but returned to the area soon after. He went to work for the elevators in Haxtun, Fleming and Dailey. He also started his own custom bailing business. 

It was during that time that he met a girl working at her mother’s café in Haxtun. Phil and LaVonne met at Minnie’s Café Drive-In while she was still in high school. 

LaVonne was born to Harold and Minnie (DeBuhr) Cheney in Sterling and attended school in Haxtun. She graduated with the Class of 1961. Once she was out of high school, LaVonne and Phil married on June 25, 1961 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Haxtun. The same church LaVonne is still active in today. 

Phil joined the United States Army in 1961 and attended his basic training at Fort Carson. Once he was finished, LaVonne joined him at Fort Sill and later the couple were transferred to Fort Riley. While at Fort Riley, the couple welcomed their first child, son John, in May of 1963. Four years later, daughter Judy joined the Hart family. 

Once Phil was discharged from the Army, the couple returned to Haxtun to settle down and raise their family. LaVonne worked at her mother’s café, later turned over to her sister Velda Barlo and then niece Sammi Starkebaum. Phil worked for -K Ranch south of Dailey for several years but later took over his father’s farm. Phil farmed until his retirement in 2007. 

In 1978 LaVonne took a job with the Haxtun School District as the head cook, a job she held for over 25 years. And on the side, she continued to work at Minnie’s Café, later named the Barlo Café, along Highway 6 in Haxtun. 

Phil is a member of the Haxtun American Legion, Fred C. Lewman Post 137. Throughout his 45-plus years as a Legion member, Phil has served as Commander and Chaplin as well as served on the color guard. His wife, LaVonne, joined the women’s group and has been an active member of the Haxtun American Legion Auxiliary.

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