Lavonne Konsela

LaVonne Konsela
Posted: Friday, December 28, 2012 12:00 am

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
(fiance, Jessica), Daniel, Sarah, Kylie, Kruz (Britany), Kody, Brady, Taylor, Lili; one greatgranddaughter, 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.
Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 31, 2012 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in
Durand. The Rev. Eric Linzmaier will officiate. Burial will be in the Waubeek Cemetery in rural
Durand.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Rhiel Funeral Home in Durand and one hour prior to
services at the church on Monday.
Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Durand, is serving the family.
Condolences may be made online at www.rhielfuneralhome.com.

http://www.leadertelegram.com/people/obituaries/article_fad6ab3e-e6e6-5827-93ad-9e8a2c9701a0.html

Visitation & Funeral for LaVonne Konsela

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Sunday at Rhiel Funeral Home and at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, both in Durand.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the church.  Burial will be at Waubeek Cemetery, rural Durand.

From Eau Claire Leader Telegram, Thursday, December 27, 2012.

Sad News

Death Notice in the Eau Claire Leader Telegram, Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Konsela, LaVonne, 71 of Durand, died Monday at the Chippewa Valley Hospital in Durand.
Arrangements are pending at Rhiel Funeral Home, Durand.

(LaVonne is Donald's wife.  I spoke with Jim's wife before posting this to confirm the information.  I will post the funeral arrangements if they are in the full obituary in tomorrow's paper.)

Call me if you would like Don's address.  I don't feel comfortable posting it here.  (715-962-2458)

Message from Brian:  

Please pass this along to anyone in the family that Dad is back in the hospital again for the same reason, a racing heart.  I’ll keep you updated.

Thanks, Brian

Uncle Augie in the Hospital

Hi, everyone,

I just found out from Brian that Uncle Augie was in the hospital.  He went in on Monday because his heart was racing.  He returned home on Friday.  He is "back to his old self" today.

If you'd like to send a card:
August Konsela
7917 Carstons Lake Road
Manitowoc, WI 54220

New Pages Added to Photobucket Folder

I am adding some of the pages that my sister Maria copied from the Waumandee book for me today. It's taking a little bit because I am going through all the pages trying to name them, but hopefully I'll get them all uploaded before I go to work today. In case you need the link, here it is again: Kondziela/Konsela/Konsella Documents on Photobucket

Reaction Button

Now you can react to a post simply by clicking!  (Checking to see if the reaction button is added.)

SLIDE SHOW

If you want to view the slide show one more time, here is the web site you can find it at:

www.photodex.com/share/jerryrosy

There are actually four of the same project listed.  Please view the first one (on the left) that says "Konsela Corrected" project.  The others were without the photos that Bev was able to give me to add to the show.  When you click on the arrow, you will get a yellow target coming at you.  Then there will be a screen with a slide in the middle.  Click on this slide to begin the show. 

I will not make hard copies of it since not everyone is represented on the slide show and it is difficult to put written information into a moving slide show.  I encourage everyone to study Joe's documents and those others of us have posted as well.  There is so much that can be learned from them.  And I hope more of you will have information you will continue to share here.  Having the blog and seeing pictures from the event made it less painful for me to be home in NC during the event.  This is as close to the reunion as people like me got -- and I appreciate it.

DON'T FORGET YOUR PICTURES

It would be great to create a master DVD of all the GREAT photos of the Konsela Family.  Would you be willing to share from your family collection?

Marge offered to bring along a printer and photo paper in case anyone wanted a copy of a picture that someone has.

It sounds like Sylver will have equipment there for scanning as well.  If we don’t make a disk, perhaps we could upload them to a photography site that also allows us to order prints we want.  Anyone have suggestions for this?  (Walgreen?  Shutterbug?...)

Ann Matchey also said she would be willing to scan photos for us if they are brought to her house.  Check with her first.

Perhaps you can scan your own.  If so, be sure to use at least 300dpi scans and make sure your scanner glass is as free of dust as possible.  If a good quality photo has been damaged or is faded, it can be repaired (depending on type of damage) if it is scanned well.

Photos shared on the BLOG have been very meaningful.

It would be great to have photos that show life during the time Olga and Robert's family were growing up.  Farm pictures or activity pictures (like the one of grandpa's birthday or August's first communion, or wedding pictures, or working on the farm, or cousins gathered around Olga,) tell us a story of life at that time. 

Does anyone have photos of the "great grandparents:" Frank and Rosa and Anton and Jennie?

Question for the Planning Team

If we are bringing bars, would you like them in the pan or on a nice serving tray?

Prize - Best Seat in the House

From Brian describing the creation of the Best Seat in the House:

The other day I picked up the seat at Menards and then I made the logo and glued it on. Luanne cut out the lettering on her Cricut machine that she does scrap booking with. Then she put the letters through her sticker maker and there it is.  The base was some plywood that I had sitting in the basement for a while.  See you Saturday.

Memorial Park

If you have never visited Memorial Park in Arcadia, you owe it to yourself to take a walk through the park after the gathering.  It is probably the greatest tribute to veterans of all era's in all of Wisconsin.  It is located just a couple of blocks from the gathering site.  The attached pic  shows just a very small portion of the park.  The statues of the  soldiers  that you see around the top of the picture are larger than life size.  Don't miss this opportunity.

Which Cuz?

Not a great quality pic (from the Winona Newspaper Project) but some of you may be able to figure out who this is.

Saturday's Program/Special Features

Check out the Programs & Exhibits tab to see the schedule for the day.  Also check out the Special Features tab (be sure to scroll down for some new items).

Guests of Honor - August & Myrna Konsela

Check out the Special Features tab for an interview with August & Myrna Konsela.

Menu

Check out the FAQ Tab to see the menu.

Veterans

How many cousins are veterans?

In addition to Uncle Augie, a Korean War Veteran, and Harry Allen, a World War I veteran, I know the following cousins are veterans:

Pogreba 1990 Picture, Who's missing

Harry Allen

Ann Konkel has so many stories to tell from her fantastic memory and she is going to be at the

Blossoming Blog

The Konsela Blog has been blossoming and is in full fall bloom - just in time for the Konsela Cousins Gathering next Saturday at the Arcadia Area Historical Society at 12:00.

Helpful Hint: How to Make a Comment to a Post

A cousin asked:  How do I type a comment to a post that someone has made? 

Example:  If you want to make a comment to the post shown above: 

New Prizes Added to the List

Check out the Volunteer tab for new and exciting prizes donated by Myrna Konsela!

Picture of Robert & Olga sent to me by Veronica

Joe & Alvina Konsela

Joe and Alvina Konsela wedding picture Jan.17-1944

left to right Bob Lisowski  Florence Fernholz  Joe and Alvina.

Joe and Alvina Konsela  1998

Aunts & Uncles

Who & Where?

August Konsela

My Dad's First Barn

This picture was taken in August of this year. It's located in Bennet Valley.
  This is what's left of the first farm that August had.

Request for Help

Check out the Volunteer tab to find out how you can help the planning team.

Donated Prize List

Check out the Volunteer tab on the home page for a list of items donated for prizes.

My Favorite Picture of Grandma

This picture was taken at a first cousin's wedding.  Can you identify the newly weds?

What a beautiful woman Olga was!

ST. PETER AND PAUL MISSION CHURCH

These are a scan from the St. Boniface 125th celebration history book.  I believe this may be the church that Robert and Olga got married in. 

Visit Robert & Olga's Home Farm Via Satellite

S1425 Buells Valley Road, Mondovi, Wisconsin

Check it out on Google Satellite Maps by clicking here.

Visit Waumandee on Sunday

On Sunday, August 19th, the day after the Konsela Cousins Gathering, St. Boniface Parish in Waumandee will be holding its annual festival.  Mass is at 10:00 a.m. with dinner to follow.  Fun and games all day!  Consider visiting the church cemetery where Grandma and Grandpa are buried.

If you are planning on staying overnight in the area, you might want to consider the Waumandee House for accommodations - 608-626-2371.

THE MARY THOMA FAMILY

Not sure everyone in the family will appreciate me sharing this particular photo but I just found it today.  Back row, Katie, Veronica, Bill, Rosy, Vicky.  Front row:  Beverly, Lambert, Bob (Robert -- named after grandpa), Mary and Sylver.

Robert and Olga 25th Anniversary

Planning Team Letter - July 30, 2012

  

 KONSELA COUSINS GATHERING

 Saturday, August 18, 2012

Dear Cousins,

Welcome to all of you who have signed up for the Konsela Cousins Gathering!!! We have in store for us a whole day to see cousins again—those we know and those we don’t know. And there is no other purpose for the day than having fun getting to know each other.

Breaking News Part II: Dorfplan von Tscheschen 1944

Ok, I realize that this is from 1944, but I am positive that the Obieglos and Kondzielas came from this village. There are Obieglos galore listed here.  Also a Lebek and a Kondziela.  If you look at some of

Lambert & Mary (Konsela) Thoma

Married at Saint Boniface Church in Waumandee on April 26, 1944.  Does Anyone know who their attendants were?  I remember Sokoloski's but not sure of spelling or first names.

**BREAKING NEWS!!!**

If you can call something that happened about 150 years ago that. :-D I just got information that there was at least one son and daughter that did not

Part of a Family

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family.  Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.
-Jane Howard

Can you identify this clan?  What year was this photo taken?  I just love those scarves which also doubled as dish towels!

I guess mom, Mary Konsela, was always the photographer. Who's got the chicken on their head?

I put a bunch of censuses and stuff up for you guys if you're interested. I didn't want to clutter up the

A book mentioning Robert and a "bonus" book mentioning a couple of you! :-D

I found a book that mentions Robert. I know that it also mentions

Who's Missing From This Photo?

10 comments:

1. 
   Marge NicolaiJune 18, 2012 3:31 PM

   I've got this picture in storage! Mom and Dad sat down with me one day when she came to the beauty salon and we sat in the dryer chairs and I wrote down everyones names on the back in order. Grandma was pregnant at the time.

   ReplyDelete
2. 
   Marge NicolaiJune 18, 2012 3:31 PM

   Notice Grandpa's the only one smiling!! LOL

   ReplyDelete
3. 
   Ann MatcheyJuly 1, 2012 8:58 AM

   This is kind of a test to see if I can post,,, Here is who I think they are, back row: Valentine, Olga, Romeo, middle row: Rose, Grandma Olga, Leo (Nick), Grandpa Robert, Lillian, Jennie on Grandma's lap and Joe on Grandpa's lap, Mary would by the gestating baby and August not thought of yet. I think I might be correct about the names but Lillian and Rose just a guess because I went by height and age. Any corrections?

   ReplyDelete
4. 
   Brian KonselaJuly 2, 2012 4:50 PM

   I think August (Dad) was thought of, Grandma is pregnant.

   ReplyDelete
   
   

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   Ann MatcheyJuly 2, 2012 4:59 PM
   No I think she was pregnant with Mary, your dad is the youngest. Did you see the picture I posted of Olga and Jennie? It ended up on the main page, don't know how to move to the picture section, maybe Bev can do that.
   Delete
   Reply
5. 
   Ann MatcheyJuly 2, 2012 9:16 PM

   Picture was taken June 26, 1923, Olga's wedding day the same day the picture of Olga and Jennie picture was taken, I posted that picture and that is what was written on the back.

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   Brian KonselaJuly 2, 2012 10:07 PM
   I forgot how many kids there were & I don't remember all of the names.
   Delete
   
   Ann MatcheyJuly 2, 2012 10:24 PM
   If you go under the tab "look who's coming" all the siblings are listed and there are 10 with your dad being the youngest. by the way, that is a very nice picture of your mom and dad.
   Delete
   Reply

Prizes

The Planning Team is planning on giving prizes at the Konsela Cousins Gathering.  I would like to donate a few items, namely a

This is the grave for Rosine/Rosa (Lybeck) Kondziela, Robert's mother. It probably is also the grave for Franz/Frank, Robert's dad. This picture was posted on ancestry.com in 2009 by a descendant of Ignatz "Nick" Konsella, Robert's brother.  This is the description that they posted with it:  

Marker for Rosa Kondsiela in the St. Boniface Catholic Church cemetery in Waumandee, Buffalo County, Wisconsin. Almost completely unreadable, now is it is worn and covered in lichen. Perhaps the two small stones on either side mark the resting places for Rosa and Franz.

 

Directions for Cleaning Stones

Harry Allen

For those of you that don't know who I am, I am Joe Konsela's grandson, and Patricia Konsela's son, Joe Heath. I have been doing a lot of stuff with genealogy over the past year and have been graciously granted rights to post on here because I have a few things that you guys might be interested in.  I thought that something that you guys might be interested in was the Harry Allen story. I've heard that some of you used to visit him from time to time.

I'll give you a progression of the stories and facts as they developed for me.

My grandpa told a very interesting story about Harry saying that

Robert Konsela Auction

Winona Republican-Herald

Friday, October 12, 1951

Page: 17

 Submitted by Bev Thoma Keltner - the largest print I could get.  You might try copying and pasting the image into a Word document, then resize it and print.  It worked well for me.  Much easier to read.

Robert Konsela Obituary

Copied from Winona Newspaper Project and submitted here by Bev (Thoma) Keltner. 

Winona Republican-Herald

Thursday, January 18, 1951

Page: 4

Section: None

Robert & Olga Konsela Certif of Marriage

Notice the Full Name of the mother of the wife:  Johanna Obieglo, (nee Libeck or Liberk).  I had to click on the image to enlarge it  and then click again to get a nice large image.  I received this from Bob & Vivian last week.  Vivian said that this is proof that Robert and Olga were first cousins.  So could the other posted documents (Death Certificate & Olga Konsela Obituary) be wrong?????