Published on echovita.com, August 4, 2023:

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Lavonne DeBoer of Mitchell, South Dakota, who passed away on August 3, 2023, at the age of 78, leaving to mourn family and friends. Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of Lavonne DeBoer to show support.

She was predeceased by her parents, Donald DeBoer and Gertrude DeBoer (VanderSteen); and her siblings, James D. DeBoer, Dorothy DeBoer and Mary Windmiller (DeBoer).

She is survived by her nephews, Richard Windmiller (Leena), Calvin DeBoer (Angela), Chuck DeBoer (Ayrica) and Jeff DeBoer (Mary); and her sister-in-law Sharon DeBoer.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 9th 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Harrison Community Church (390 5th St, Harrison SD 57344). A funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 10th, 2023 at 10:30 AM at the same location. A burial will be held on Thursday, August 10th, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the Graceland Cemetery E First (860 E 1st St, Corsica, SD 57328).

From the Mount Smith Funeral Home Obituary:

Lavonne DeBoer was born on June 7th, 1945, to Donald and Gertrude (VanderSteen) DeBoer in Corsica, South Dakota. She was the third born of four children. Lavonne grew up in the Corsica area and graduated from Corsica High School. She then went on to Southern State College in Springfield, SD for education/teaching. After receiving her Bachelor's, she went on to Michigan State University in Lansing, MI, for her Master's in Education and Special Reading. Lavonne devoted her life's work to teaching special needs children and elementary school. She once said that she taught a little boy to read by setting a book on a podium and letting him walk around it in circles, reading from the book. She loved children and even spent countless hours tutoring children and building up Children's Worship programs in church. Lavonne spent most of her teaching career in Florida at the Bradenton Christian School.

In 2016, Lavonne moved back to Corsica, SD. She spent her time tutoring, doing volunteer work at the Dakota Christian School, reading to kids in the library for the Children's Story Hour, being active in Priscilla Club, and being active in the Harrison Community Church doing Children's Worship and singing in the choir. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, reading, visiting with others, and walks around the neighborhood.

Lavonne was passionate about teaching others of the love of Jesus and God, and she would share about her love for them as well. She had the brightest heart for children and loved spending time with them. Lavonne would sit right on the floor with them and play or tell Bible stories. She would laugh at all the funny things that they would say and be genuinely interested in their stories. After they were done with their long tales, she would laugh and clap her hands with such joy!!

Lavonne passed away on August 3, 2023, at Edgewood Memory Care in Mitchell, SD, at the age of 78 years.