Esther "Lavonne" Zempel, formerly of Elkhorn and Delavan, WI, passed away on Monday December 26, 2022 in Appleton, WI.  Lavonne was born April 29, 1932 in Hinckley, MN to Ella (Larsen) and Leonard Steen and grew up in Hinckley and Moose Lake, MN, where she graduated from high school in 1949.  She graduated from St. Cloud Teachers College and the University of Minnesota- Duluth.  She was a teacher in Pine City and Virginia, MN, Great Falls, MT and Kenosha and Racine WI.  She married Martin Zempel July 7, 1962  in Moose Lake, MN and they were married for more than 55 years.  After many years living in Racine,  Lavonne and Marty moved to Elkhorn where they owned and operated Park-View Pharmacy.  After retirement, they moved to Westshire in Delavan.

Lavonne and Marty were longtime members of St. John's Lutheran Church in Elkhorn.  Lavonne spent many hours making quilts at church, and volunteering at the Elkhorn Food Pantry and Meals on Wheels. She loved playing bridge in her numerous bridge clubs and she also enjoyed being part of the Elkhorn Woman's Club. Lavonne will be remembered for her love of Racine Kringle and making Lefse each Christmas. After Marty died in 2018, she moved to Appleton to be near her daughter. Lavonne is survived by her son, Dr. John (Sue) Zempel of St. Louis, daughter Krista (Tom) Holland of Appleton; grandchildren: Chris, Joe, Ellie, Will Zempel and Ted, Drew, Matthew Holland and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, sisters, brother and their spouses Renee (Nick) Predovich, Melba (Harold) Reuer, Sharryn (Wally) Borowsky and Warren (Eleanor) Steen.

A Visitation will take place on Friday, December 30, 2022 at the Funeral Home, 730 N. Wisconsin St. Elkhorn, WI, 53121 from 2:00PM-3:00PM. A Service will immediately follow the Visitation at 3:00PM with Pastor Herb Priester officiating. Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Homes and Crematory of Elkhorn, WI, is assisting the family. Online condolences can be posted on www.haaselockwoodfhs.com

St. John's Lutheran Church
104 S Broad St., Elkhorn WI 53121