LaVonne Garry

LaVonne L. Garry, age 98, of De Smet, SD, passed away on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at the Good Samaritan Society in De Smet, SD.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in De Smet, SD. Father Larry Regynski will officiate with music provided by Ann Larson as organist and vocalist. Special music will be provided by Tim Andrews. Active pallbearers will be LaVonne’s grandsons: Tim Andrews, Shon Asleson, Cole Munger, Cameron Garry, Tate Munger, and Kalen Garry with honorary pallbearers being her children, grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren as well as special friends, Arlene Sutton and Kelly McCune. The service will be livestreamed via the Crawford-Osthus website.

Visitation will be held at the church in the hour prior to the Funeral Mass.

Burial will be at 2:00 PM at Restlawn Memory Gardens in Huron, SD.

On February 3, 1927, LaVonne Louise was born to Wayne and Faye (Strickler) Nelson near Esmond, SD. She was one of four children. LaVonne attended country school in Esmond before graduating from Iroquois High School. After graduation she attended college in Huron for two years to study business. LaVonne entered the work force as a telephone operator before working in sales at Sears and later Lewis Drug in Huron, SD. She also spent time as a dietary assistant at the Good Samaritan Society as well as a teacher and the Director of Religious Education, but her favorite position was a tour guide for the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society in De Smet, SD. She worked there for over ten years and well into her 80s.

On February 2, 1947, she was married to Glen Andrews at the Esmond Methodist Church. They raised two sons, Bob and Randy, in Huron, SD, until Glenn’s passing in June of 1982. On January 20, 1990, she was united in marriage to Robert Garry at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Huron, SD. They made their home in De Smet, SD, where LaVonne would stay until her passing.

Outside of her family and work, LaVonne was a woman of many talents. She kept busy with crossword puzzles, embroidery, and as an avid reader. She also sang in the choir and played piano as well as organ. LaVonne proudly belonged to the Red Hat Society and the De Smet Bulldogs Booster Club.

She is survived by her children: Randy (Diane) Andrews of AZ, Lynn (Dann) Cecil, LuAnn (Randy) Asleson, Lori Heitland, Janie (Steve) Munger, and Bob (Donita) Garry all of SD; seventeen grandchildren; twenty-seven great-grandchildren; and eight great-great grandchildren. LaVonne loved her family dearly and couldn’t bear to be apart from them.

Lavonne was preceded in death by her parents, Wayne and Faye (Strickler) Nelson; first husband, Glenn Andrews; second husband, Robert Garry; son, Bob Andrews; siblings, Maxine, Vera, and Bob; and son-in-law, Gene Heitland.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel

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