LaVonne Thompson

LAVONNE (KOOPMAN) THOMPSON

Van Horne

LaVonne (Koopman) Thompson, 92, passed away Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018, at Virginia Gay Nursing and Rehab in Vinton. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Van Horne with the Rev. David Lingard officiating. Interment will be held at St. John Cemetery in Newhall. Visitation will be held from 9:45 until 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the church. A memorial fund has been established.

LaVonne was born Jan. 11, 1926, in rural Newhall, the daughter of John and Ilma (Hertle) Koopman. She was baptized on Feb. 28, 1926, and confirmed on March 27, 1940, at St. John Lutheran Church in Newhall. She graduated from Newhall High School. On April 13, 1947, she was united in marriage to Russell Thompson. The couple farmed in the Van Horne area and LaVonne worked as a study hall supervisor at Benton Community schools until her retirement in 1988. LaVonne and Russell enjoyed wintering in New Braunfels, Texas, with their Van Horne friends.

She was a member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Tara Hills Country Club and Trees Forever in Van Horne. In her leisure, she enjoyed golfing, bowling and participating in various card clubs. LaVonne loved to follow her grandchildren's school activities and sporting events. Her greatest joy was spending time with great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Cynthia (Mark) Albers of Decorah and Douglas (Nancy Knapp) Thompson of Van Horne; three grandchildren, Amy (Jon) Peterson of West Fargo, N.D., Brad (Martha) Albers of Chicago and Justin (Lindsey) Albers of Decorah; four great-grandchildren, Brock Peterson and Paige Peterson (with whom she shared a birthday), Elisabeth Albers and Marit Albers; and her brother-in-law, Niels Schmidt of Becker, Minn.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Russell; brother, Donald (Mildred) Koopman; and her sister, Delores Schmidt.

Online condolences may be left at www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com.