LaVonne L. Stemper

LaVonne L. “Bonnie” Stemper, 78, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion. Funeral mass will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 9, 2025, at Old St. Joseph Catholic Church, 995 5th Avenue, Marion, with visitation one hour prior. Burial will follow at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.

Bonnie was born on May 22, 1946, in Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of Alfred and Catherine (Ruden) Krug. She was a graduate of Dubuque Wahlert High School. Bonnie was united in marriage to Peter Phillip Stemper in 1970. She worked in insurance claims until retirement in 2012. Bonnie was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion. She was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. Bonnie was a devoted Hawkeye football fan, having attended every home game since 1970, and in one remarkable year, she even made it to every away game. Bonnie will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Bonnie is survived and lovingly remembered by her four children, Julie (Phillipp) Stemper-Brown of Oak Park, Illinois, Michael Stemper, Patrick Stemper, and David Stemper, all of Marion; one grandson, Preston Brown; and siblings, Phyllis (Joseph) Glab of Omaha, Nebraska, Lora Avenarius of Dubuque, Mary (Mike) Hessel of Garner, Iowa, David (Deb) Krug of Dubuque, and Bev (Mike) Riege of Casa Grande, Arizona.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Peter on October 30, 2005; and brother-in-law, Ron Avenarius.

Memorials in Bonnie’s memory may be directed to the family to be distributed to several charities.