Lavonne Maxine Wachlin

LaVonne M. Wachlin, age 94 of Willmar, MN and formerly of St. James, MN, died on Saturday, April 1, 2023. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 11:00 AM with Pastor Mandy France officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery in St. James. Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

LaVonne Maxine (Willemssen) (Radenbaugh) Wachlin, the daughter of Ben and Lula (Johnson) Willemssen, was born on April 15, 1928, in St. James, Minnesota. She was baptized in June of 1928 and confirmed in 1942 both at Augustana Lutheran Church in St. James. In 1946, LaVonne graduated from St. James High School.

On November 15, 1946, LaVonne was united in marriage to Roland Radenbaugh at Augustana Lutheran Church in St. James. This marriage was blessed with four children and LaVonne and Roland raised their family on a farm in Belgrade. In addition to farming and caring for her family, LaVonne worked as a factory seamstress and supervisor at Litton. In later years, LaVonne and Roland moved to Arizona to support Roland’s health. LaVonne provided excellent care to Roland until his death in 1986. LaVonne married Robert Wachlin on December 23, 2002, and they loved spending their summers in Vergas, MN where they enjoyed fishing.

Faith was important to LaVonne, and she was actively involved in various church groups including Ladies Aid, Alter Guild, and church circles. She also taught Sunday School for many years. LaVonne was a caregiver at heart and her most important roles were those of housewife and mother. She cherished her family who will miss her beyond measure.

LaVonne is survived by her daughters, Sandra (Donald) Bengtson of Pennock and Linda Thompson of St. Cloud; daughter-in-law, Fern Radenbaugh of Pine River; eight grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; nine great great-grandchildren; sister, Madelyn Schlomann of Fairmont; brother-in-law, Russel Jr. (Mary Jane) Radenbaugh of New Ulm; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father; two husbands; sons, Larry and Kevin Radenbaugh; sister, Evie Newman; and son-in-law, Terry Thompson.

LaVonne’s family would like to thank care providers, Teresa, Desi, and Lexi for the excellent and loving care they provided to LaVonne.