LaVonne A "Vonnie" Konsela
LaVonne A. "Vonnie" Konsela, age 71 of Durand, died Monday, December 24, 2012 at Chippewa Valley Hospital in Durand with her family by her side, after a very courageous fight with esophageal cancer.
Vonnie was born on September 7, 1941 in Alma. She was the daughter of Sidney and Alma (Engler) Bignell. Vonnie grew up in the Arkansaw area and graduated from the Arkansaw High School in 1959. She married Don Konsela Sr. on October 10, 1959 at St. Mary's Church in Durand. After marriage, Vonnie and Don lived in Durand and raised their family. Vonnie worked as a bookkeeper for Don at Don's Super Service until 1964. She also did upholstery work and later drove bus for Durand Schools. In 1979 Don and Vonnie established Northside Transmission where she did the bookkeeping until retiring in 2011.
Vonnie loved playing her accordion, often entertaining at the campground in Chetek. She also enjoyed fishing, cooking, playing cards, ceramics, boating and snowmobiling. Vonnie especially liked her time at Six Lakes Campground in Chetek where the family spent 25 summers together.
Vonnie is survived by her husband of 53 years, Don, four children; Cindy (Larry) Holmstadt of Durand, Don Jr. and Tim (Becky), both of Elmwood, Brice of Arkansaw, nine grandchildren; Rick (Fiancé Jessica), Daniel, Sarah, Kylie, Kruz (Britany), Kody, Brady, Taylor, Lili, one great granddaughter, Macy, five brothers; Reuben (Bev) Bignell of Baldwin, Dale (Sheryl) Bignell and Bill (Barb) Bignell, both of Menomonie, Bruce Bignell of Chippewa Falls and Henry (Diane) Bignell of Amery, one sister; Rose (Dale) Johnson of Eau Claire, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, a son Bobby and a brother, Bob Bignell.