Lavonne R. Groesser

Born 1-13-29, at home on a stormy winter day in Fremont MI, she was the daughter of Harry and Jennie (Anderson) Myers, Sr. Soon after her birth the family relocated to her beloved Traverse City, MI. There she spent most of her childhood growing up on Washington Street and graduated from Traverse City Central high school in 1947. After graduating, she worked at both Bell telephone and the Traverse city hall as a switch board operator. During those years, she was known to have a beautiful singing voice and was notorious for “tearing up the dance floor “ with her jitterbug moves at the Brooks Bar and O-wak-obe beach house on the miracle mile.

Lavonne married Traverse City native Ralph (Chap) Groesser on Christmas Day 1961. Soon after their marriage, they purchased 20 acres of undeveloped land on Barlow Ave., in Traverse City, where they developed Town and Country Mobile Home Village. The business prospered and they added an additional 40 sites for a total of 120 after completion. Lavonne was ahead of her time as female entrepreneur as she was very instrumental in obtaining the proper permits and utilities and organized meetings with both Garfield township and Traverse city zoning. During the course of the business she helped collect monthly rent and did most of the financial management and book work. She was very proud that she and Chap had all debts and loans payed off after just five years. She and Chap ran the business until 1984, when they sold it and entered retirement.

In her retirement years she enjoyed shopping, reading, watching classic movies, listening to big band music, and “getting her hair done” once a week. She also enjoyed having a glass of wine or two or a beer while sitting on the front porch visiting with neighbors, friends, and family. She was well known for her “gift of gab” and could engage in most any topic.

Sadly, after 49 years of marriage, Chap passed away 1-18-2010. In 2014, Lavonne relocated Marquette, MI to be closer to her son. She resided in the 500 building apartments at Lost Creek, where she still enjoyed her afternoon wine and enjoyed looking at the deer and other wild life outside her back porch window.

Lavonne is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Chap; sisters, Mary and Peg and her brother, Harry Jr.

She is survived by her son, Barney (Butch) his wife Suzanne; grandson, Zachary; several nieces and nephews and many special friends.

Lavonne’s family would to thank the care aides, nurses, and entire staff at Eastwood Nursing Center for delivering loving and quality care during her stay at the facility. Also U.P. Home Health and Hospice for assisting in her comfort during her last days.

We are also like to extend our gratitude to Dr. John Bartlett, Rachael Bartlett PA, Nicole Nolan PA, and the nurses and staff at Marquette Internal Medicine for delivering high quality health care to Lavonne.

At Lavonnes request there will be no formal funeral or memorial. Instead, her family wishes that those who loved her and knew her well set some time aside, find some pictures of her, have a glass or two of wine or their favorite beverage and take a “sentimental journey”, reflecting on her life and the times they spent together.

Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting her family, where her obituary can be seen at and if they wish post condolences.