LaVonne Katherine Bowman — Rochester

LaVonne Katherine Bowman, 91, of Rochester, passed away Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, at Golden Living Center East.

LaVonne was born July 5, 1922, in Mantorville, to Anna and Vern Day. She graduated from Central High School in 1940. During World War II, she served in the USO Club as a "magazine girl" in support of our troops. She married Don Bowman on June 7, 1947, at St. Johns Catholic Church. They raised three boys and ran several Rochester businesses, including Bowman Wholesale and Bowman Lock and Key. LaVonne was always beside "her man," helping in anyway she could. LaVonne and Don had many friends.

They took fishing trips up north in their early years as a married couple, loved spending time on the river at Bass Camp, and enjoyed wintering in Fort Myers, Fla.

LaVonne enjoyed reading, birdwatching and finding seashells on the shores of Sanibel Island, Fla. Whenever anyone visited her, they always left with a "little something." You never knew what you were going to get. She had a good heart and always made you feel special. LaVonne's spitfire personality and loving spirit will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

LaVonne is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Don Bowman; and one brother, Jack Day.

She is survived by three sons, Bill (Mary) Bowman of Rochester, Jerry Bowman of Deerwood and Mavis Bowman of Rochester and Joe (Cindy) Bowman of Rochester; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Dewey (Pat) Day of Rochester and Dick (Janet) Day of Owatonna, and two sisters, Lorraine Kohler of Pompano Beach, Fla., and Penny Mohn Rosenblad of Rochester.

Special thanks to Betty Ringeisen who provided friendship and care to LaVonne over the past seven years. Betty's love and companionship meant the world to LaVonne and her family. She is truly a blessing to every life she touches.

The funeral Mass for LaVonne Katherine Bowman will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rochester, with the Rev. Charlie I. Collins officiating.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, Sept. 11, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the River Park Chapel Macken Funeral Home, and for one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Online condolences are welcome at mackenfuneralhome.com .