Suchomel, LaVonne 'Lolly' Mrstik

LaVonne “Lolly” Mrstik Suchomel, 88, of Fairfax, died Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011, at Northbrook Manor Care Center, Cedar Rapids. Services will be 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW. Burial will follow in Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids.

LaVonne was born July 29, 1923, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of William and Anna (Hesse) Mrstik. LaVonne married Albert Suchomel on Feb. 5, 1944, in Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md.

After Albert left the Army, they lived in Cedar Rapids until 1956, when they built their home in Fairfax, the home in which they lived for 38 years until Albert's death in 1994. LaVonne then moved back to Cedar Rapids.

LaVonne graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1941. She was employed by Northwestern Bell, and as the receptionist in the Penick and Ford office until Albert was discharged from the Army. After her children were all in school, she worked as the buyer in the record and phonograph department of Sanfords for 15 years. After retiring, she worked together with her husband in his business, Al's Towing, and they sponsored a men's softball team for 15 years. After retiring from the towing business, LaVonne and Al went into crafts as “Al's Woodworks” and participated in many crafts shows. She continued after Al's death to participate with her daughter, Kathy and her husband, Don Sirowy.

LaVonne loved her family dearly. She also loved the Roosevelt Class of 1941, “The Greatest Generation.” She wrote a newsletter which was sent to each member of her class four times a year, and it was a labor of love.

LaVonne is survived by her daughters, Kathy (Don) Sirowy of Cedar Rapids, Linda Schlesselman of Cedar Rapids, Larry (Nancy) Suchomel of Hutto, Texas and Mike (Linda) Suchomel of Hiawatha; nine grandchildren, Tammy (Mark) Carlson, Angie Guckenberger, Dawn (Greg) Byrne, Brad (Missy) Schlesselman, Amy (Travis) Reininger, Jeff (Elidia) Suchomel, Jason (Kristin) Suchomel, Brooke (Brent Knapp) Suchomel and Nate Suchomel; and her 19 great-grandchildren whom she adored are Dustin and Brayton, Jake and Cade, Jaxson, Carson and Maddox, Caleb, Luke and Jessica, Addi and Teagan, Zachary, Cora, Kinsley and Quinn, Jacob, Jacqueline and Julia.

She is also survived by the Jam Group, most of whom called her mom, and whom she considered her “extended family.”

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband of 50 years, Albert.

The family would like to thank the staff at Northbrook and Hospice of Mercy, especially her nurse Chrissy, for the loving care they gave Lolly.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at

Published Dec. 22, 2011, in The Gazette