LaVonne Ida Leinfelder

LaVonne Ida (Strupp) Leinfelder passed away on July 16, 2025, at the age of 90, surrounded by her children. She was born, the first of three children, to Edward and Berdina Strupp on October 15, 1934, on North Ridge above Coon Valley, a small rural community, in Wisconsin. She grew up, with her two brothers, on a dairy farm where winters were harsh but the summers were pleasant. LaVonne attended Saint Joseph Ridge School where she boarded at the convent. There was no local high school, so she went to Aquinas High School in La Crosse where she lived with the Resners, an elderly couple, and worked domestically to earn room and board. LaVonne graduated with an Associate of Medical Laboratory Technology from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. LaVonne married Karl Leinfelder in 1956 and then moved to Milwaukee where she put him through Dental School by working at Mt. Sinai Hospital. In Milwaukee LaVonne and Karl started a family and were blessed with three children: Barbara, Susan and Marcus. When Karl graduated, they moved to Port Washington, WI where LaVonne gave birth to three more children: Katherine, Karl and Thomas. She continued to work as a Medical Laboratory Technician until the birth of her fourth child. 

LaVonne was a devoted and loving mother. She was actively involved in her children’s education, spending long hours tutoring and advocating for them. This devotion continued throughout her children’s adult life where she would drop everything and travel long distances to help them. LaVonne was a devout Catholic. Attending Mass every Sunday as a family and having the children attend Sunday school was a priority. LaVonne was active in the church and joyfully and diligently supported its many missions. She was active in the Chapel Hill School system where she volunteered for PTA for many years. LaVonne helped lead a Girl Scout troops for several of her daughters. She enjoyed cooking, reading and playing bridge. LaVonne travelled the world with her husband, accompanying him on many of his national and international lectures. LaVonne is survived by her children; Barbara Jo Newton, Susan Marie Lemire, Marcus John Leinfelder, Katherine Mary Leinfelder-Newton and Karl Thomas Leinfelder. LaVonne is also survived by six grandchildren; Tera Lynne Tucker, Nikolas Bryan Newton, Brandon Chance Newton, Karl Andrew Leinfelder, Abigail Elizabeth Leinfelder and Emily Anne Leinfelder. LaVonne was preceded in death by Karl, her husband of 66 years, her youngest son, Thomas, and her brothers, William and James Strupp. 

A funeral for LaVonne will be held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.