Andy LaVoi

Andrew “Andy” LaVoi, 78, of Waukesha, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on July 25, 2024, in the company of his loved ones at Angel’s Grace Hospice in Oconomowoc.

Andy was born the youngest of seven children in Fosston, Minnesota on June 30, 1946. After losing his parents at an early age, he moved from Minnesota to Eau Claire, Wisconsin while in middle school to live with his eldest sister, Audrey Imler, and her husband Bill, who raised Andy along with their four children Gayle, Vicci, Danny, and Jenny. Andy graduated in 1964 from Regis High School in Eau Claire and accepted a football scholarship to North Dakota State University. Unfortunately, during his freshman year, he needed major surgery to repair a serious knee injury, which stopped his football playing days. He returned to Eau Claire, where he attended and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1969.

Andy married Diane (Esler) Ackerman in 1965, and they were married for 24 years. They had two sons, Anthony (Tony) and Christopher. Andy was incredibly active and supportive in raising Tony and Chris, always willing to play whatever sport the kids wanted to play when he got home from work and on the weekends. During the five years Andy and his family spent living in Seattle in the early 1970’s, weekends were spent camping in the Mt. Rainier and Olympic National Parks.

After Tony and Chris were grown, he married Maggie Dolan in 1992, and embraced raising three more children, Patty, Joey, and Mikey. Andy was an active participant in the lives of all his children and grandchildren, involved in their school community both coaching and volunteering his time. He was a fantastic father and grandfather — it was his passion and it showed in every interaction with his kids and grandkids. Grandpa “Bam-Bam” will always be remembered for showing up at sporting events, birthdays, holidays, and sometimes where you least expected him. He played an instrumental role in the upbringing of his grandchildren, who will miss him beyond words.

Traveling with Andy was always an adventure, and he passed on his love of travel to his children, though thankfully not his sense of direction. He loved spending time at Folly Beach, SC, which held a special place in his heart, being close to his son Tony’s family in Charleston and the location of Patty’s wedding to Dan Homuth in 2022.

Andy enjoyed playing racquetball, golf, and, in his later years, became an avid pickleball connoisseur. He was a long-time member of the Wisconsin Athletic Club (WAC), where he enjoyed both the competitive and social aspects of the WAC community, including the Sunday Morning Beer and Chili Racquetball League. Wherever and whenever Andy interacted with others – be it the WAC, school events, or dinner clubs – he had a knack for developing and maintaining life-long friendships.

Andy worked in dental sales and financial services from 1970 until his retirement, and could have a conversation with anyone. His vibrant and caring personality will be missed by all who knew him.

Andy is survived by his children, Tony (Beverly) LaVoi and Christopher LaVoi, and was a faithful step-father to Patricia (Daniel) Homuth, Joseph McMullen, Michael McMullen, and a bonus father to Stacy Gonzales and Daniel Faustmann. He was a devoted and dedicated grandfather to Elise LaVoi, MacDougall LaVoi, Hayden Faustmann, Miles Faustmann, Charlene Faustmann, Keegan Homuth, Kaia Homuth, Nolan Homuth, Anthony McMullen, Nicholas McMullen, and Abel McMullen. He is also survived by his brother, Warren LaVoi, and numerous nieces and nephews as well as extended family. Andy was predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Mabel LaVoi, and five sisters.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at the Heart Failure Clinic at both ProHealth Care in Waukesha and Aurora St. Luke’s in Milwaukee. Special thanks to the family at Angel’s Grace Hospice for providing the utmost care, respect, and grace for Andy’s final days.

Per Andy’s request, the family will be holding a private memorial service.

Any donations can be made to Angel’s Grace Hospice in Oconomowoc, WI.