LaVonne Thielen

Mass of Christian Burial for LaVonne Thielen, 82, of Plevna, MT will be at 10:00 a. m. on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at St. John?s Catholic Church in Baker, MT with the Rev. Father Thomas Tobin celebrating. Rite of Committal will follow in the family lot in St. Anthony?s Catholic Cemetery at Plevna. Visitation will be 2:00 p. m. to 9:00 p. m. on Tuesday, July 13th, with a Rosary and Vigil service at 7:00 p. m. at Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker. LaVonne Thielen died peacefully on Sunday, July 11, 2010, surrounded by her eight loving children at Fallon Medical Complex. She was born Manetta LaVonne Varner on September 12, 1927. LaVonne was the daughter of William and Annetta (Grow) Varner and grew up in the Baker area. She attended Chimney Creek School and graduated from Baker High School in 1944. LaVonne worked as a telephone operator and for the ASCS. She married Ambrose Thielen on October 18, 1947. Upon their marriage, headed south to California, returning a short time later to the family homestead north of Plevna. They had eight children, six girls and two boys. In 1975, LaVonne and Ambrose bought the Plevna Bar and Caf?. Upon Ambrose?s death, she sold the bar and returned to the farm. LaVonne will be remembered for her love for flowers and pinochle. She could always be found outside working in her yard and ready for a game of cards at any moment. LaVonne was always willing to lend a helping hand. She was a devoted grandmother to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her family of 53 members kept her very busy. LaVonne enjoyed her large family and visited them as often as possible. LaVonne served as an election judge for many years and was a member of the Fallon County Planning Board. She was an active member of the Plevna Senior Citizens and St. Anthony?s Catholic Church. LaVonne was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Ambrose Thielen, her parents, William and Annette Varner, her stepfather, William Beck, brothers Herb and Jim Varner, and sister Leota. She is survived by her eight children, Nancy (Ken) Vorhees of Spokane, WA, Peggy (Gene) Vennes, Plevna, MT, Mary (Gordie) Gaub of Big Timber, MT, Patty (Dick) Malcom, Cindy (Larry) Singer, and John (Sheri) Thielen all of Baker, MT, Lorrie (Mike) Smyly of Spokane, WA, and Bobby (Missy) Thielen of Plevna, MT, 17 grandchildren, which include three sets of twins, and 13 great-grandchildren, including a set of twins, one brother, Clifton (Kay) Varner, sisters-in-law, Alvina of Baker, MT, Bonnie of Spearfish, SD, Dorothy and Ruth of Plevna, MT. Mom?s love for gardening is being memorialized by the creation of ?Mom?s Garden?, a place where mom?s spirit lives on forever. Honorary Pallbearers ? Ladies of her Pinochle Group as well as her many friends.


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Burial Date: July 14, 2010
Funeral Home Baker, MT

Mass of Christian Burial: Wednesday, St. John’s Catholic Church, Baker, MT