LaVonne Marie Bryan, lifetime resident of Yelm, Washington, passed away on May 3, 2022, at St. Peter Hospital.

LaVonne was born on the 16^th of September 1951, at the original St. Peter hospital. She was born to, Helen Marie (Dolan) and James Herman Triplett. She grew up in Yelm, Washington along with her brother Jimmy and sister Carol.

At fourteen years young, while hanging out at the neighbors, she met a young man who was 18 and headed for Vietnam, John “Pat” Bryan. That young man was her future husband and best friend.

The next four years of the “getting to know you” phase was spent through the lost art of correspondence through the mail. The traditional way to make connections with your loved ones was by putting pen to paper, and trusting it arrived to the intended person. Pat was surprised how often she wrote, and continued to write him, more than his own family.  LaVonne must have been very good at her letter writing, as Pat ended up mailing her an engagement ring from Vietnam. He  couldn’t wait and he couldn’t lose her. When Pat finally came back home, LaVonne’s parents drove the two sweethearts straight to the justice of the peace, and it was official.

The newlyweds started their life together and were blessed with a daughter Lynette and son John “Patrick” Jr. They were so excited when they made their forever home in the new development outside of Yelm, in the Bald Hills, Single Tree Estates. They had a beautiful home that evolved, changed, and adjusted to fit the times.

For most of the marriage LaVonne was holding the important position of homemaker. Being a wife, mom, taxidriver and manager was more than a full-time job; it was her career.  Once the children were older, LaVonne went to work as a postal carrier to help with household expenses.

LaVonne liked to host community gatherings with card night and enjoyed participating, planning, and having a good time with friends and family. Her laugh was infectious and enjoyed by everyone around her. Later in life LaVonne enjoyed going out to casinos and preferred the Quinault.

The family loved adventure and get aways, especially to the outdoors. They camped, fished, and hunted. LaVonne was no stranger to a good fishing trip. Her largest catch was a 32 lb. salmon from the Chehalis River!   The picture of her hangs in the hallway to this day.  She and Pat shared the story of her catch for many years!

They raised their children and were blessed when Lynnette had their granddaughter, Destiney. LaVonne loved their baby and was so full of pride watching her grow.

LaVonne was an avid knitter.  Baby blankets were her specialty; It was her meditation, her place of peace, and kept her busy even if the TV was on. She was always busy doing something.

Over the years their home served LaVonne and Pat well; it was a place of much happiness, gatherings, good food, laughter, friends, family, joy and sorrow. In 1997 tragedy struck the family that would forever change their lives when Lynette was killed in a car accident. They were heartbroken, but they were also needed by someone. They welcomed little Destiney into the home and raised her in the same home where her mama grew up. LaVonne and Pat needed Destiney just as much as she needed them.

LaVonne was blessed with being a great grandma to her two great grandsons, and the home has been slightly adjusted to accommodate the youngest members of the Bryan family.

LaVonne was incredibly loyal, loving and served her family to the fullest. Even with life’s ups and downs, she was a strong resilient woman who tried to find optimism in all things. She will be missed.

Mother and Daughter are together again, bringing Pat, Patrick and Destiney much peace during this great loss.

LaVonne is survived by her best friend and husband Pat Bryan, who she had her eyes on at fourteen and never took her eyes away. Her son Patrick and Gina Bryan of Yelm, Destiney Rode and her sons, Hunter and Eithan of Yelm, Roxanne and Warren Montgomery and their son, Grayson and daughter, Max.

There will be a service at a later date which will be posted on the website at www.woodlawn-funeralhome.com where you can also leave condolences for the family.