LaVon Marinette McManaman

LaVon Marinette McManaman of Emporia, died on Friday, November 28, 2025, at Homestead of Emporia Care Center.  She was 88.

LaVon was born on November 23, 1937, in Lincoln, Nebraska, the daughter of Wilson and Thelma Weichel Howe.  Her middle name was supposed to be Merideth, but the birth certificate got it wrong and it would have cost $2 to change it.

LaVon graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1960 with a teaching degree in Home Economics.  Her first job was at Cedar Rapids (NE) High School.  There she taught Home Economics, Social Studies, and girls PE.  She was the girls softball and volleyball coach, lunch room supervisor, junior/senior prom advisor, and other duties as assigned.

She married Bernard McManaman on January 27, 1962, in Cedar Rapids, Nebraska after a whirlwind courtship.  He died on May 20, 2022, in Emporia.

LaVon loved to bake and cook.  She was always game to try new recipes, some good and some not.  She liked working with kids, teaching, subbing, child care, even the boys at the Atchison Juvenile Correction Facility.  She kept going back for 18 years until she retired in 2000.  She then joined the Kansas Association of Retired School Personnel (KARSP).

She was protective of her sewing machine and scissors.  No one dared cut anything but cloth with her scissors.  She made clothes for the kids and the community (bridesmaid dresses, habits for the Dominican sisters, etc.).  One year she made a green leisure suit for Bernie to wear on St. Patrick's Day.

Surviving family members include her children, Becca Hennessey of Pasadena, MD, Larry (Mandy) McManaman of Emporia, Bill (Kirby Fell) McManaman of San Diego, CA, and Alicia (Steve Shortt) McManaman of Seminole, FL; grandchildren, Sam Johnson, Emma McManaman, Trevor Hennessey, and Sara Hennessey; sisters, Ardith (Keith) Ziegenbein and Karen Backemeyer.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, infant son Joseph McManaman, brother Aaron Howe, sister Marva Howe, and son-in-law James Hennessey.

LaVon was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church and the Altar Society in Emporia.

The rosary will be recited at 6:00 pm Wednesday, December 3, 2025, with the visitation following until 8:00 pm at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, Emporia.  Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 am Thursday, December 4, 2025 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Emporia.  LaVon will be cremated, so a graveside service will occur at a later date at the St. Michael's Calvary Cemetery in Spalding, NE.  Memorial contributions to the June Bug Foundation can be sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box #175, Emporia, Kansas 66801.