LaVonne T. (Kenyon) Isenberger

LaVonne Isenberger, 97, of Clarion, passed away Thursday, April 21, 2016 at Bishop Drumm Care Center in Johnston, Iowa after a short illness.

A Mass of Christian Burial for LaVonne Isenberger will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, April 25, 2016 at St. John’s Catholic Church, 608 2nd Avenue North East in Clarion, with Reverend Jerry Blake officiating. Burial will be held at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Clarion.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with a scriptural wake service beginning at 4:45 PM, on Sunday, April 24, 2016 at Ewing Funeral Home, 1801 Central Avenue East in Clarion, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Monday.

LaVonne was born on July 4, 1918 on a farm near Clarion, Iowa to Ralph William Kenyon and Otillia Agnes (Deimerly) Kenyon. She was their only child, as Ralph died from tuberculosis when LaVonne was just eight years old. She attended grammar school at St. John’s Catholic School in Clarion, graduated from Clarion High School in 1936, and then graduated from The American Institute of Business in Des Moines in 1937. She enjoyed reminiscing about her time in Des Moines, particularly attending AIB and going to the WHO radio station to watch performers, mainly Dutch Reagan (President Ronald Reagan) when he was a sportscaster.

LaVonne married Chester (“Chet”) Jackson Isenberger in 1938. They made their home in the Clarion area for almost 41 years of their marriage prior to Chet’s death in 1979. Together, Chet and LaVonne operated the Isenberger Hatchery and Feed business for many years. The two enjoyed many activities together, including card playing, dancing, traveling, working together, and bowling. Chet was on the Isenberger Hatchery men’s bowling team and LaVonne was on the “Isenberger Chicks” women’s bowling team.

LaVonne was an active member of St. Mary’s Circle in her younger years and volunteered to deliver Meals on Wheels for a number of years. She had many other hobbies, including sewing, quilting, crocheting, needlepoint, knitting, and gardening. She was also an avid reader, enjoyed puzzles, and was a great cook (especially during the Holidays).

LaVonne’s family and friends will always remember her witty personality and her famous one-liners that were often surprising and could always make everyone laugh. With her Fourth of July birthdate, she always lived up to the reputation of being a true firecracker. Even at the age of 97, she actively used her computer daily to email friends and family.

When she was asked (many years after Chester’s death) who and what she loved, she wrote the following: “I love my children, my grandchildren, my friends. I love my home, my church, my flowers and pretty yard, goldfinches, good health and the beautiful countryside. Most of all, God.”

LaVonne is survived by her three sons Ken, Lynn, and Brent (Julie), son-in-law Gale Chatterton, seven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Chester, her parents, and her daughter Sue (Isenberger) Chatterton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Iowa Specialty Hospital Foundation.