Obituaries : LaVonne Marlys Latham

LaVonne Marlys Latham of Erie, Illinois, passed away in hospice on, February 12, 2024, after a brief illness, in the company of her stepsons and spouses, and her nieces and nephew. Services will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, May 10, 2024, at the Erie United Methodist Church, followed by interment with her late husband, Robert Latham, a U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II, at the Rock Island National Cemetery at the Rock Island Arsenal.

Born March 17, 1942, in Bruce Township, Iowa to Harry August and Vona Irene Hilmer (Loveless), LaVonne was the youngest of three children. LaVonne was a regular winner of 4H ribbons at the Benton County Fair with achievements in various sewing crafts and her infamous geese. A lover of animals, her first dog, Queenie, set the stage for a life enriched by many more cherished four-legged friends.

LaVonne was a 1960 graduate of Washington High School in Vinton, Iowa, where she excelled in band and academics. She graduated from The University of Iowa, where she was nick-named "Sparky" on the ladies Field Hockey team. During her junior year, she was elected president of the SUI Women's Recreation Association, which provided college women opportunities to participate in intramural or club sports, there then being no varsity teams for women at The University of Iowa. LaVonne maintained life-long friendships with her teammates.

Following college, LaVonne accepted a position in the Erie Public Schools, teaching Physical Education and Science The now grown-up neighbor boys on Tenth Avenue still remember LaVonne roaring up the street in her four-barrel 1967 Chevrolet Impala SS, which got her potential buyers at nearly every gas stop.

LaVonne changed focus in the 1980's after returning to The University of Iowa to study Computer Science so that she could bring that then new technology to Erie students and faculty. For many years, she also sponsored Jump Rope for Heart, a school fundraiser for research and education programs offered by the American Heart Association.

LaVonne complimented lifelong love of the outdoors with her passion for photography and travel. She and her mother took annual trips throughout the United States during LaVonne's summer vacations. For many summers, LaVonne was, first, an activities director at Camp Owaissa and then lead counselor at Camp Lenore-Owaissa in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. She even persuaded her mother to come out a few summers to serve as head cook and nieces Linda and Pam Hilmer to attend as campers. Her "Bluebirds," her fellow staff members and campers, remained her fast friends for life, and they all enjoyed many reunions in Boston and Greater New England. In the 1970's LaVonne adopted Pax, the first of her several Labrador Retrievers. Over the years Pax led her to the Erie Veterinary Clinic. where in the late 1970's - and initially naïve as to his romantic inclinations, Veterinarian Robert Latham began scheduling Pax (and LaVonne) as his last appointment of the day, with dinners to follow, which ultimately led to their marriage on July 21, 1979. LaVonne and Bob enjoyed adventure travel, including whitewater rafting, horseback riding, and hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park, where they enjoyed hosting their children at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park. and sailing in the windjammer schooner the Victory Chimes out of Rockland, Maine. LaVonne and Bob became accomplished chefs together, and besides serving up gourmet meals to family and friends, they mastered bagel making. LaVonne was an early enthusiast of Apple computers and iPhones, including texting family and friends on her new iPhone 15. In addition to enjoying visits from her nieces, nephews, stepchildren, and their families, she enjoyed daily visits from her close friends and neighbors Mark and Sheila Trent.

LaVonne was preceded in death by husband, mother, brothers Dale and Gary Hilmer, sisters-in-laws Doris (Dale) Hilmer, Margaret (Gary) Hilmer, and stepdaughter Katherine Latham.

LaVonne will be fondly remembered by stepsons Robert Latham (John McLouth), Timothy Latham (Sue Ellen) and Benjamin Latham, nieces Linda (Ted Kunz); Pam (Calvin Gordon), Deborah (Jeff Obermeyer), Sharon (Chad Fleming), Becky (Brad Stainbrook), nephews Craig Hilmer (Lori Cedarholm), and Andy Hilmer (Sharon). She is additionally remembered by many great-nieces and nephews.

The family thanks Genesis Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf, Iowa for excellent and compassionate care during her brief stay.