LaVonne Alice Ann Dokken, 81, was born to eternal life on April 5, 2018, surrounded by her family at her daughter’s home in Onalaska, Wisconsin.

LaVonne was born on March 14, 1937, in Rose Creek, Minnesota, to Gilbert and Viva (Haney) Bawek, the oldest of six children. She was faithful, hardworking, resourceful and creative from a young age. She graduated from St. Augustine’s High School in Austin in 1955. She married Eugene Underdahl on June 23, 1956, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Austin and was a loving, devoted mother to their two children. Throughout her professional life, she always “managed the money” in some capacity, and her honesty was unrivaled. She was a talented hostess who loved celebrating holidays and milestones, and she was an active member of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church for many years. She married Donald Dokken on Oct. 4, 1980, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin. They shared nearly 38 years of marriage and enjoyed wintering in Arizona, attending Dokken family gatherings, taking day trips, playing cards and dancing. She treasured her roles of grandma and “GG,” and reveled in shared shopping trips, travel, performances and more. In January, LaVonne and Donald moved to senior living in Onalaska, where she cherished having her family, new friendships and fun nearby. She had special talents in cookie baking, caramel making and cross-stich, was an enthusiastic Twins, Vikings and NASCAR fan, and was always impeccable. She persevered through many challenges, was open-minded yet steadfast in her principles, and had a well-rounded sense of humor and curiosity.

She is survived by her husband, Donald Dokken; daughter, Cynthia (Mark) Cassellius of Onalaska; son, Thomas Underdahl of Abingdon, Virginia; granddaughter, Brescia (Joseph); great-grandchildren, Grace and Roland Berg of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin; Donald’s children, Craig (Judy) Dokken, Audrey (Nick) Matranga and Troy (Karol) Dokken and their families; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Karen, Arlis, Melvin, Truman (Donna) and Rueben Dokken and Juanita (Dutch) Bolinger; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Darwin (Maureen) Bawek, Beverly (Robert) Dahlback, Marlene (Donald) Jensen, and Gary and Pamela Bawek; her parents; and sisters- and brothers-in-law, Wilford, Leslie (Donna) and James Dokken, Mary (Merle) Klinge and Hazel (Roland) Erickson.

The family is grateful for all of the medical professionals who cared for LaVonne with such kindness.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, April 13, at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 405 Fourth St. in Austin, with Father James Steffes as celebrant. Visitation will begin at 1:30 p.m. before the service. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, followed by a dinner at the church. Memorial donations may be made to St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Mayo Clinic (designated for cardiology at mayoclinic.org/development or Department of Development), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55095, or to Mayo Clinic Health System, Franciscan Healthcare Hospice, 620 11th St. South, La Crosse, WI 54601. Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.

We will carry our beloved LaVonne, mom, grandma and GG in our hearts forever.