LaVonne E. St. Amand's Obituary
On December 15, 2022, LaVonne Ellen St.Amand (Bogner), age 76, of N. Muskegon, MI passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in Muskegon, MI on May 5, 1946 to Ardeen Martin, Bogner, Bubnick (Parker) and Frank Martin and she had one son, Shawn D’Andre St.Amand who was born in 1972.
LaVonne is survived by her brother Gary Bogner of N. Muskegon, MI and his fiancé, Debra Morin; her son Shawn’s fiancé Stephanie Zeno of Louisville, KY and their children, Michael Zeno and Marissa Zeno; and her half-brother Kenneth Bogner of Twin Lakes, MI. Also surviving LaVonne are her nieces and nephews; Chris (Kim) Bogner, Gary (Rhonda) Bogner Jr., Marina (Bill) Kaufman and Francine (Tim) Egeler and all of their children and families. She will also be greatly missed by her extended family and her many dear friends.
She is preceded in death by her son, Shawn St.Amand, her parents, Ardeen Martin, Bogner, Bubnick (Parker) and Frank Martin and her half-brother Randy Bogner.
LaVonne attended St. Francis De Sales grade school and Catholic Central High school. When she graduated in 1964, she attended college at Michigan State University, University of Michigan and then completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at Eastern Michigan University. She started the first Occupational Therapy department ever in a hospital setting at Hackley hospital and then at the Developmental Center and at the Visiting Nurses Association. Then later while in her 40’s, she and her son Shawn moved to Hawaii Kai, HI where she earned her graduate degree in Business from University of Hawaii and then assisted in setting up the first physician owned managed care organization in Hawaii. She then relocated again to Wheaton, IL where she resided for twenty-seven years. Finally, in 2014 after an extremely successful and accomplished career, she retired from her own consulting practice, Marketing Solutions Plus, and as an Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Placements for Midwestern University’s Occupational Therapy Program and returned to N.Muskegon, MI to enjoy her retirement.
LaVonne belonged to a number of organizations and sat on a number of community boards throughout her career being recognized for her tenacity, determination and influential hard-working style. She participated in research, published and wrote a number of articles throughout her career always encouraging people of all ages to adventure and find their role in life that excited them. Chapter Y PEO of N. Muskegon was her final effort in contributing to helping women and enjoying the sisterhood it offered.
She loved animals and always had one in her life. Her greatest joy was rescuing those dogs that were not desirable due to age or other injuries from abuse. A little therapy and love offered them an extension on life.
No public funeral services or memorial will be held, but donations in LaVonne’s honor can be made to Harbor Hospice who took such great care of her during her hospice journey, or to any organization that is close to your heart. Arrangements by, The Sytsema Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 737 Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442.
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