Yvonne Mary Jondal

Yvonne Mary Jondal, passed away on April 2, 2026. She was born February 16, 1931, to Mabel and Norman Scharberg on the family farm in Dodge County, MN. Her siblings were Robert, Mary, and Pauline. She was baptized, confirmed, and married at West St. Olaf Church, Hayfield, MN.

Vonnie always had an interest in school and later teaching. At 4 years of age, she convinced the teacher she was ready and the teacher drove her to school every day. She attended District 8, a one-room school, through the 8th grade and attended junior and senior high school in Hayfield, graduating in 1948. She went on to study at Luther College in Decorah, IA, earning a limited certificate to teach and later earned her BA from Winona State Teachers College.

While in high school, she briefly dated Harry Jondal prior to him joining the Navy. They developed a friendship and corresponded while he was stationed in Guam. Harry returned from the Navy in 1952, and they were married on June 6, 1953. After marrying, the couple moved to Austin and in 1970 moved to an acreage near Lansing, MN, raising their four boys.

Vonnie’s teaching career began in a one-room classroom near Hayfield and then Lyle, MN. She “retired” from teaching to raise her boys and resumed teaching at Oakland, MN, then later Banfield in Austin, primarily teaching 2nd grade until retirement.

Vonnie was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin for 72 years and active on various committees, sang in the choir, and known for being one of the oldest members on their lefse making committee. In addition to being active at church, she was also involved with the Austin Art Group, Sons of Norway, Audubon, Austin Teachers Association, and the local whittling club. She loved all mediums of art, taking classes and teaching throughout the years. You may have seen her art hanging in local restaurants and the Austin Artworks Center.

Vonnie enjoyed traveling. During retirement, she and Harry wintered in Florida, Texas, and Arizona. Along with her sisters, she traveled to Norway visiting cousins and ancestorial farms. She traveled to the Holy Lands and China and especially enjoyed visiting family in Alaska.

Vonnie was preceded in death by Harry, her husband of 59 years; parents, Mable and Norman; and siblings, Robert, Mary, and Pauline. Vonnie is survived by her sons, David, Austin, MN, John (Mary), Sterling, AK, Steve (Ann), Rushford, MN, and Charlie (Jane), Bozeman, MT; grandchildren, Dayna (Mark), Lea (Beth), Danielle (Allen), Katie (Greg), Grace, Olivia, and Noble.

The family would like to thank the staff at South Grove Lodge, Chosen Valley Care Center, and the care team at St. Croix Hospice for the wonderful care provided to Vonnie.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 4, 2026, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Austin, with the visitation at 10:00 a.m. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements.