A Celebration of Life Service for LaVonne Thurmer, age 95, of Worthington, formerly of Jackson, will be held Wednesday, April 24th, at 11:00 AM at LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Jackson with Pastor Russ Steele officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Jackson.

A time of visitation and gathering will be held on Wednesday, April 24th at 10:00 AM at the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Jackson.

LaVonne was born September 12, 1928, to the late Niels and Gertrude (Christophel) Johnsen in Redfield, South Dakota. LaVonne attended school in Frankfort, South Dakota.

In 1948, LaVonne married Marvin Bicknese. This union was blessed with two sons, Michael, and Kenneth, but the marriage later dissolved. LaVonne and her two young sons moved to Jackson, Minnesota, to help the widower, Elmer Thurmer, with his two young children, Barbara and August. Elmer and LaVonne fell in love and were united in marriage on October 4, 1954. In 1955, Elmer adopted Mike and Ken, and that is how they became the Thurmer Bunch. Deciding that four kids was not enough, they added two more of their own, Deborah and Curtis.

LaVonne was a homemaker for many years and a very good cook, so much so that she became a "Lunchroom Lady" at the Jackson High School, where she worked until she retired.

Prior to her retirement, Elmer passed away on May 23, 1984.

After retirement, LaVonne moved to Fairmont and lived there until moving to Worthington in 2019. LaVonne was active in her church and American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed cooking, camping, sewing, quilting, and collecting dolls.

On Friday, April 19th, LaVonne passed away peacefully at Sunset Hospice Cottage in Worthington, Minnesota.

LaVonne is survived by her children, Kenneth Thurmer, August (Anne) Thurmer, Curt Thurmer, Barbara (John) Mickelson, and Deborah "Debbie" (Dick) Thompson; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother, Ralph (Gwen) Johnsen and sister-in-law, Maxine Johnsen.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Elmer; son, Michael and his wife, Andrea; one grandchild; Elmer's parents and all eight siblings and their spouses; her first husband, Marvin; brothers, Lynn Johnsen and Clayton Johnsen; sister-in-law, Helen Johnsen; and special friend, Willard Simon.