Lavonna Thompson

Eau Claire/Madison
LaVonna Mae (Hawkins) Thompson, age 79, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at home on Friday, October 4, 2013. She was born on March 21, 1934 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, daughter to James and Virginia (Kelley) Hawkins. She was united in marriage to John Thompson in Eau Claire on June 2, 1956.

LaVon worked as a waitress at the Crossroads restaurant prior to her marriage. After she married John, she worked as a cook at the Syverson Lutheran home and later as a custodian for UW-Eau Claire. LaVon was a devoted member of First Baptist Church in Eau Claire, where she taught Sunday school for many years and was very involved in her Circle. She had a love for Jesus, her faith, family and friends. LaVon enjoyed all types of music, especially Blue Grass, and shared that love with her family. She also had a knack for gardening, baking and hosting family and friend gatherings. She was generous with everything she had - her funds, her time, her love. She judged no one, always finding the good in everyone and always honored her family and friends first. Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren.

LaVon is survived by her son Glenn (Kathy) Thompson of Deerfield, WI; daughter Melanie (David) Yeazel of Madison, WI; son Keith (Barbara) Thompson of Woodbury, MN; daughter Vonnie (Mark) Schoenleber of Madison, WI; and Aldo Castillo, her Nicaraguan son of Cape Coral, FL; grandchildren Samantha Thompson, Benjamin and Alexander Thompson, Noelle, Rebecca and Matthew Yeazel, Sydney, Sophie and Henry Liautaud, Alvaro and Marcos Schoenleber; brothers Albert (Carol), Wesley (Marion), Robert (Carole) and Donald (Susan) Hawkins. LaVon also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, sisters and brother in law, and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband John; sister Gwen Barneson; brothers Joseph, James, Marvin, Delmar, Byron (Mary) and Willis Hawkins.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, October 11, 2013 at 1:00pm at First Baptist Church, 416 Niagara St., Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Memorial visitation will be held from 11:00am until time of service at the church. LaVon will be laid to rest next to her husband at Drammen Lutheran Cemetery in rural Mondovi, WI.