Lavonne Senn

LaVonne Senn, icon of the Madison community and gifted violinist, dies at 92.

LaVonne Senn has been a part of the greater Madison music community for years. She was an active violin performer, a member of the Euterpe Club of Madison, and a committed teacher for aspiring violinists of all ages. She found her love for violin early, borrowing her father’s violin at 9 to begin her journey learnings. LaVonne graduated from St Scholastica with a degree in chemistry and music. She played in the Duluth Symphony orchestra in college and has performed with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. She then became part of the University of Minnesota team that developed the mechanical heart pump. The original pump is now a part of the Smithsonian collection. She moved on to NY and studied a doctorate in physiological chemistry at Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute.

We know her as our mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She would say the guiding light for her life was family first, and doing good for others. She was born on July 15, 1927 in Winnebago, Minnesota, the oldest child and only daughter in her family. She met her husband Al in New York, while she was working there, and Al was a graduate student at Columbia. LaVonne and Al were married in New York on November 20, 1957 and started their family with daughter Ann and son Eric, both born in Brooklyn, NY. When Al got a job offer to work at University of Wisconsin Madison in the history department, LaVonne retired from her work in chemistry to become a full-time wife and mother. She joined the University League, spent time with the faculty wives, started an investment club and continued to grow her family with Al. Daughter Theresa and son Thomas were born in Madison. She volunteered with all of the school, sports and music organizations as her kids pursued their interests and was well-known at the Shorewood pool and water aerobics. She brought out her violin again after Thomas graduated from Wisconsin, starting a stringed quartet with other talented musicians and sharing her love of music with others.

She passed away Friday evening. She was at home, surrounded by family when she found her peace in death, joining her beloved husband Al. At her bedside when she passed were all four of her children and many grandchildren to see her off. Music was playing in the background. Those of you who know LaVonne well, know that this was exactly how she wanted to go.

She was preceded in death by her parents Alta and Francis, husband Alfred and brothers Duain and Robert. She is survived by her children, daughter Ann and husband Mark with their children Delaney and Zachary; son Eric and wife Karen with their children Matt (Erika), Christina (Ben), Olivia (Gabriel), Caroline and Adrienne; daughter Theresa and husband Jon with their children Molly (Will), Kaiya and Breanna and granddaughter Elina; son Thomas and husband Mark.

A Visitation for LaVonne will be held on Saturday, February 8 at BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH,  2121 Rowley Ave., Madison from 10:30 am until the time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 am.

The donations will benefit a special program with Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Music Makers Program: WYSO Music Makers exists to enrich and develop the music skills of children from all backgrounds in an inclusive and non-competitive environment. Your support will provide instruments, lessons, and performance opportunities and make music education accessible for all children.

WYSO Music Makers – WYSO | Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras