LaVonne "Vonnie" Ethel McGowan

LaVonne Ethel McGowan, age 94, of North Mankato, died Sunday, April 23, 2023 at Monarch Meadows in North Mankato.

Memorial service will be held at 2pm, Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Crossview Covenant with visitation one hour prior. Following light refreshments, burial will take place at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Please share a memory of Vonnie, view her video tribute, and watch her service livestreamed at www.mankatomortuary.com.

Vonnie was born to Florence and Leslie Patten on November 13, 1928 in Mankato. On May 26, 1947, she married Roger McGowan in Anchorage, AL, where he was stationed in the military. They resided there for one year. Following that, they made Mankato their home. There, they raised twin daughters, Kathleen and Joleen, and one son, Scott. After her children were raised, she worked as a librarian at South Central College in North Mankato. Around that time, she and roger were involved in square dancing. In their semi-retirement and retirement years, she and Roger enjoyed many travels and adventures, from working at Yellowstone National Park, working at the Minnesota State Fair, volunteering for the American Red Cross, wintering in Mexico, and more. Vonnie was also very involved with church and loved her church family.

She is survived by her children, Kathleen (Tom) Brunz, Joleen Spelbrink, and Scott (Christina) McGowan; 5 grandchildren, Andy McGowan, Shelley (Jake) Lee, Jesse Spelbrink, Lisa Brunz, and Joshua (Jennifer) Brunz; 11 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; brother, Dale (Shirley) Patten; step-brother, Leland (Flora) Peterson; step sister-in-law, Virgi Peterson; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roger McGowan; sister, Helen Hanson; parents, Florence and Leslie Patten; step-brother, Virgil Peterson; and step-father, Randolph Peterson.