Lavonne Janssen Obituary Janssen, Lavonne J. "Bonnie" Born Lavonne Jean Papple on March 21, 1922 in St. Paul, Minnesota and died at her home on February 11, 2010. Known as Bonnie, she loved her childhood years on Ann Arbor Street in the Cretin/ Vandalia area of St. Paul. She started singing at age 11 and later worked with teenage singers, violinists, pianists, and other musicians as part of the St. Paul Parks and Playground Dept. In return for her services she received voice lessons and discovered her gift. At 15 she became the primary soloist at Merriam Park Church. In 1941, as a high school student, she auditioned for Oscar Hammerstein and won the Gateway to Hollywood Contest and RKO Picture Search. Many opportunities presented themselves as a result. She studied German Lieder with Charles Guggisberg at Macalester College, and received a music scholarship to the U of M where her natural full voice led to local opera productions and a life long association with classical music in churches throughout the twin cities. After college she moved to Chicago and worked for WGN studios as a singer and writer for the radio. She married Robert Ives Janssen and had three children, Craig, Anna and Susan. The family grew up in Mendota Heights on the river bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River Valley. Her love of hymns and classical music continued and she directed choir and was a soloist for Sunday services, weddings and funerals at Macalester Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian Church and the Fort Snelling Chapel where many young men returned from service in WWII. She was a girl scout leader, a volunteer at the "old" Gillette Children's Hospital in St. Paul, a transcriber of textbooks for the Society of the Blind, and worked as a representative between the Animal Human Society and Hennepin County. At this job she provided education to students on domestic and wild animals. The animals traveled with her to various schools and our home was host to many furry and feathered creatures who were used as ambassadors to further the understanding of backyard wildlife. In the early 1960's Robert started a paint tool manufacturing company known as Padco Inc. Bonnie was the office manager and performed many functions from advertising to sales. Her children as well as Bonnie's only sibling, Joan, worked at the company for close to 30 years. She and Robert were divorced in 1990, but he remained the love of her life. In 1990 she moved from Mendota Heights to Wayzata to be near her daughter Susan. She enjoyed cooking and baking, her feline companions, watching the birds, and her second home in Grand Marais, set on rocks over Lake Superior. She especially loved her time with her grandchildren and their love to her sustained her. Preceded in death by parents, John and Martha Papple of St. Paul, and sister, Joan Wrede of Highland Park. She is survived by her former husband, Robert; her son, Craig Janssen of North Oaks, Minnesota; daughters, Anna MacMormick of Minnetonka, and Susan Carlson of Minnetonka Beach; eight grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. Bonnie wanted to thank the care- givers at Home Solutions who were so kind and respectful during her in home hospice care. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 17, at 11AM, at the Wayzata Community Church, 125 E. Wayzata Blvd., Wayzata. There will be a visitation beginning at 10AM and a reception following the service. Memorials may be sent to the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley. David Lee Funeral Home Wayzata 952-473-5577 www.davidleefuneralhome.com