Lois Yvonne (Vonnie) Lennon, 78, of Clackamas, Ore., and Mesa, Ariz., passed away Jan. 9, 2011 after major strokes in October 1997, July 2010 and December 2010.
Her husband, Gale, was superintendent of Cook County schools in the 1970s. Vonnie was active in Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Grand Marais.
She was born May 31, 1932 in Renville County, Minnesota, to Marvin and Adella Skalbeck. She was baptized, confirmed and married at the First English Lutheran Church in Sacred Heart, Minn. She attended elementary and high school in Sacred Heart, college at Mankato State University, and received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and library science from the University of North Dakota-Grand Forks. She also received a master’s degree in special education from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul.
She loved people and was the primary customer service person in the family printing business and enjoyed every musical event available. After the strokes restricted her mobility, she became a voracious reader. When asked how she was feeling, she always responded with a radiant smile and “I’m great” or “I’m good.”
Vonnie is survived by her husband of 58 years, Gale; children Mark of Duluth, Terry (Teri) of Sparks, Nev., Kevin of Plymouth, Cathy (Larry) of Clackamas, and Nancy of Broken Arrow, Okla.; grandchildren Brett (Crystal) of Hillsboro, Ore., Lucas of Clackamas, Chad (Deanna) and Leah of Broken Arrow; great-grandson Christopher of Hillsboro; sister Charlotte (Lohart) Renner; brother Bruce (Cheryl) Skalbeck; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Julian and Wesley.
A memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2060 County Road 6, Long Lake, Minn. (west of Minneapolis) at 11 a.m. April 2.
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