LaVon L. (Youngblood) Thompson, age 86 of Gratiot, WI passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, October 24, 2020 at her home in Gratiot. She was born February 13, 1934 to Henry and Hazel (Graham) Youngblood at their family home in rural Woodford, WI.
LaVon attended Mills & Penny rural schools in grade school. She graduated from South Wayne High School in 1951. She went on to attend Milton College from 1951 to 1953 where she majored in music. In high school, LaVon was very active in music and won many awards at district and state contests in both singing and playing piano.
She sang in a Barbershop Girls Quartette in 1950 and 1951. Members were LaVon, Barbara Olson (Timm), Mary Ellen Stadelman, and Elizabeth Brog (Blair). They appeared on the Morris B. Saxs Television & Radio Program in Chicago on August 26, 1951. IT was a great experience for all of them. They received many votes but didn’t win the contest. They sang When Day Is Gone.
In 1952, LaVon met the love of her life, Frank Thompson at Milton College. They were married on June 21, 1953 at the Woodford Methodist Church. LaVon was baptized, confirmed, and was a member of Woodford Methodist Church. She was also a member of the Milton College Choir and Milton Choral Union Choir.
LaVon is survived by her children: John (Cindy) Thompson of Juda, WI, Tana (Phil) Risseeuw of Darlington, William “Bill” (Penny) Thompson of Browntown, WI, Dan (Jody) Thompson of Eau Claire, WI, Sallee (Bruce) Gordee of Browntown, WI; and David Thompson of Janesville, WI; 20 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; several, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Frank; two sons: Bruce Thompson and Thomas Thompson.
LaVon was a busy “mom” for the family doing lots of cooking and baking and attending all of her children’s school activities. The family always enjoyed their camping trips at their campsite in the family woods and going for outings to the Mississippi River & Parks.
LaVon’s son Bruce was injured in a milk truck accident. The family cared for him for 18 years – he was a quadriplegic. The family all cared for him when it came to his daily care. After Bruce passed away, LaVon was a cook at the Gratiot Middle School for 11 years, of which she enjoyed doing very much.
She enjoyed reading, doing word seek books and coloring at the Gratiot Library. She liked crafting and making quilts for her entire family, spouses, and baby quilts for all. She was known for making wedding cakes and holiday cookies at Christmas time. LaVon cherished her family, especially her grandchildren and the memories they created together.
A private family funeral service will be held Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at the Erickson Funeral Home (508 Main St., Darlington) with Rev. Dennis Perger of Our Saviors Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Shullsburg. A visitation will be held Wednesday, October 28, 2020 from 9:00AM- 10:45AM. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.
For those who prefer, a memorial fund has been established in LaVon’s name.
