E. LaVonne (Vonny) Peterson Holman, 86, passed away on Wednesday, June 10th, 2015, in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, after a short illness that she succumbed to. Vonny and her husband, Jack, had been residents of Lake Havasu City, Arizona and also Casper, Wyoming.
LaVonne was born July 15th, 1928, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to Arthur W. Peterson and Fawnie M. Shipman Peterson. She was always proud of her Scandinavian and Dutch heritage. She was raised in the family home in Eau Claire with her little brother, Don, was baptized and confirmed in the family church, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, attended the grade school that was across the street from her home, and graduated from Eau Claire High School. A few years after her high school graduation she took on a life adventure and moved to Casper Wyoming to live with her aunt and uncle, Esther and Max Shipman, and cousin's John and Joanie on Cherry Street. It was while living with them that she met her future husband, Jack W. Holman, who had just returned from serving in the Navy in WWII. He was living with his parents across the street from her in Casper. Her cute little outgoing cousin, Joanie, has always been accredited with being the match maker that got Vonny and Jack together.
E. LaVonne Peterson and Jack W. Holman were married December 29th, 1951, in his parent's living room. They then had a daughter, Jacqueline, (Jaci,) and a son, Mark. Jack built their family home the year Jaci was born next door to his parents on Cherry Street and they have had that family home ever since.
Vonny worked for the Wyoming National Bank in Casper for 33 years and retired in 1983, one year after Jack retired from the Standard Oil Company Refinery in Casper. After their retirements, Jack and Vonny became Snowbirds by having a home in Yuma, Arizona for 15 years in the winter, and then returning to their Casper, Wyoming home in the summer. They then moved from Yuma and purchased a home in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, of which they had resided since. Vonny and Jack loved to travel, of which they had seen most of the United States, many areas of Canada, Mexico, Hawaii and the Caribbean. They spent many summers camping and boating at Alcova Lake and other lakes in Wyoming and Idaho. They spent many winters snowmobiling from the family cabin on Casper Mountain, Yellowstone National Park and other mountains of Wyoming.
Vonny had been a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Casper and Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Lake Havasu City. She was active for years in the Eastern Star, Ladies of the Shrine, Job Daughters, the Wyoming National Bank Heritage Club and many other organizations. She also did volunteer work for many others. She was a devoted Christian, loved to attend many Bible study groups, faithfully read her Bible and journaled her life at the end of every day. Her favorite colors were purple and lavender. She played the piano and would serenade Jack with her music. For many years Vonny liked to ice-skate and cross country ski. LaVonne loved to cook, including writing a cook book in the 80's. Her joy was to entertain people, loved to have company and was full of energy for people and life.
LaVonne is survived by her brother Don Peterson and wife Judy, of Cody, Wyoming, son, Mark Holman and wife Brenda, of Spring Creek, Nevada, daughter Jacqueline Gish and husband Brian, of Casper, Wyoming, 9 grandchildren, Andrea, Danielle, Melissa, Chantyle, Joshua, Stephanie, Ryan, Lindsay and Scott. She is also survived by 11 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; plus other cousins, nieces, nephews, and many good friends.
A memorial services for LaVonne was held at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Lake Havasu City. Another memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 318 East 6th Street, Casper, Wyoming, 82601 in combination with a memorial service for her husband, Jack. Donations to a charity of your choice in memory of Vonny and Jack would be appreciated.