LaVonne Ann Slama of Freeport passed away peacefully at Parkview on Thursday December 7, 2023. She was born to Herman and Viola (Christopherson) Jacobson on February 27, 1940, in Whitehall, WI.  She grew up with her three sisters, LueAnn, Louise, and Lenore, on the family farm near Pleasantville, WI.  LaVonne would attend the one room North Branch schoolhouse and go on to graduate from Whitehall High School in 1958.  She would continue her education at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire where she earned her major in history and her minors in library science and English.  Her first teaching position would be at John Muir Junior High in Wausau, WI where she taught history and citizenship through the spring of 1967.  LaVonne would then move to Madison, WI to be the librarian at Mendota Elementary until 1970.   From 1970 to 1971, she would attend the University of Wisconsin – Madison to obtain a Master's Degree in library science.  From the fall of 1971 until the spring of 1973, LaVonne would return to the UW-Eau Claire to be on staff as a cataloger.

During the Christmas holiday season of 1971, LaVonne would meet the love of her life, Allen Slama, for the first time in the K-mart in Eau Claire through a mutual acquaintance.  On May 19, 1973, LaVonne and Allen Slama were married in Grace Lutheran Church in Pleasantville.  That same year, LaVonne would join her husband in Freeport, IL as Allen began his long career at Micro Switch/Honeywell.  LaVonne would work for a short time at Newell, but then shifted to the important task of raising their two sons, Todd and Troy. Her sons fondly remember the many picnics with mom at Krape Park and rides on the merry-go-round, trips to town to go grocery shopping or bum around in Lincoln Mall, or early morning summer adventures of garage sales with mom. During this time, she would also be a church volunteer, Sunday school teacher, meals on wheels volunteer, a classroom volunteer at her sons' schools, and a Cub Scout den mother. As her boys neared middle school age, LaVonne would return to the field of education to work in the libraries of the Orangeville High School, Carl Sandburg and Taylor Park Schools in Freeport, and Highland Community College.  She would become the librarian at Freeport High School in the fall of 1993 and remain there until her retirement in 2006.  She truly enjoyed helping students and teachers.  She also took pride in working on a grant that helped restore WPA artwork that was displayed in the Freeport High School library.

Following retirement, LaVonne and Allen would enjoy traveling to visit relatives in Wisconsin, hosting friends and family in their home in Freeport, getting together for card club, and taking Sunday drives to Monroe, WI.  Another highlight of their retirement was spending time with their grandson, Maxwell.

LaVonne loved spending holidays with friends and family.  Christmas was her favorite time of year, and her home would always be decorated to celebrate the season. LaVonne was the consummate host in her home. Whether it was getting pizzas for a get-together or cooking a big sit-down meal for visiting relatives, you never walked away from her table hungry.  She was also a devoted Green Bay Packer fan and Wisconsin Badgers fan, and you could find her cheering on her favorite teams on the weekends.  LaVonne was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She was a very special person who will be missed by all who knew her.

LaVonne is survived by her two sons, Todd (Allison) Slama of Freeport and Troy (Brynn Hogan) Slama of Madison, WI, and one grandson, Maxwell Slama of Freeport.  She is also survived by her three sisters, LueAnn (Gerald) Schaefer of Osseo, WI, Louise (Mike) Loken of Strum, WI, and Lenore (Steve) Wright of Galesville, WI as well as nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

LaVonne's family will be forever grateful for the special care given by Dr Terry Miller, the staff of the Highland View Drive facility, and the staff of FHN Memorial Hospital.  The family would like to thank the staff of WinnPrairie of Freeport, Liberty Village of Freeport, and Parkview of Freeport for their wonderful care and support of LaVonne over the past two years.  The family would also like to say a special thank you to a dear friend, Sue Jacobs, who helped and supported LaVonne in countless ways these past few years following Allen's passing.

LaVonne was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and a person of strong faith. She will now rest in peace reunited with her beloved husband, Allen.  As per her wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. Her family is planning a celebration of life at a later date. Condolences may be shared at www.walkermortuary.com.