William “Bill” LaBonne

William “Bill” LaBonne, 82, of Canton, Minn., died unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 18, in Canton.

Bill was born October 12, 1935, in Prairie du Chien, Wis., to Elmer and Margaret (Carpenter) LaBonne.  He graduated from Aquinas High School in La Crosse, Wis. On September 17, 1964, he married Charlotte Dragvold. They lived in Monroe Center, Ill., had a hobby farm, and worked as an iron worker in Byron, Ill. He bought dump trucks, eventually graduating to semis and being his own boss. In 1982 they moved to Minnesota City, Minn., where they owned and operated the Palomino Bar and drove for Marten Transportation until in 2009.  They lived in rural Harmony, where he took pride in keeping the yard looking “sharp” like his vehicles and trucks, always well kept.  They lived there for 10 years before moving to Canton, where they have lived since.

He enjoyed working in his shop and outside, watching western and war movies, listening to country music, helping his Amish friends, and most of all, spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bill is survived by his wife Charlotte of Canton, two children, Julie of Rushford and Rick (Diane Dungy) of Harmony; grandchildren Jesse (Matt Engen), Nikki (Jordan Klemp), April, Shawnee, Mercedes, and Chloe; great-grandchildren Brayden, Laiten, and Lexi Engen, and Wyatt Klemp; two sisters, Nancy Noethe of Princeton, Ill., and Bonnie Aten of Essex, Ill.  He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Richard and Robert.

Visitation will be 3-6 p.m. Friday, April 27 at the Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel, with a a “Farewell Party”  luncheon to follow at the American Legion, 114 N. Main Street, Mabel.