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.
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