04/22/1932 - 04/28/2019
Lavonne “Bonnie” Motell Stender passed away from cancer at the age of 87 years old on April 28, 2019. Bonnie was known for her megawatt smile, easy humor and spunky attitude. She lived in Morada (Stockton) for the past 57 years. She was born in Davenport, Iowa in 1932 and was the youngest of 4 girls. She married John J. Henricks in 1950, however, he died in 1963. Lavonne and John had two girls, Cheryl Kay and Barbara Jo She later married Leon Ernest Stender, inherited his 3 children Sandra, Kurt and Scott and had another child, Alan. She worked as an office manager for the owner of 13 McDonald’s restaurants and later for doctor & Doctor Realtors for many years. She volunteered for many organizations including San Joaquin Sheriff’s STARS program, stroke and turn judge for AAU and USA swimming, and a local hospice organization. Most of all, Bonnie loved her family and her garden.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her 1st husband Johnny, 2nd husband Leon and 3 of her children: Sandra, Kurt and Scott. She is survived by 3 children Cheryl LeValley, Barbara Hunter and Alan (Erin) Stender as well as 11 grandchildren: Kim (Brock) Denuit, Jeremy Hunter, Courtney (Stuart) Bivens, Nick Stender, Kristie (Mark) Ford, Brent (Jody) Kaiser, Lance Kaiser, Ian (Claudia) Goodhew, Eric Goodhew, Savannah (Garrett) Martin and Shelby Stender. She is also survived by 11 great grandchildren including Lindsey and Brooke Denuit who live locally.
SERVICE
A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 24th, 2019 at 9:00a.m. at the Chapel of Flowers in Cherokee Memorial Park, located off of Highway 99 at Harney Lane, Lodi CA, 95240 and a celebration of life will take place at her longtime home in Morada following the service.
If you care to send flowers for the service, please send them to Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Stender family.
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