Lavonne Jepsen (Heier)

LaVonne (Heier) Jepsen, 89, passed away Sunday, August 23rd at Sister James Nursing Home, where she had resided the past few years.
LaVonne was born on June 24th, 1931, to Adolph and Mathilda (Ballensky) Heier, in Mobridge, SD. They moved to Gayville when she was very young, and she lived in the area the rest of her life. She attended Gayville school, and graduated in 1949. She married her High School sweetheart, Alva Jepsen, on September 2nd, 1951. Together they lived on many different farms in the Gayville/Meckling area until they moved to the Jepsen farm, where Alva grew up, in 1960. LaVonne remained there after Alva passed away, until she moved to Majestic Bluffs in Yankton.
She is survived by two children, Margo (Jim) Ryken and Richard (Donna) Jepsen. Four grandchildren, Matt (Trisha) Ryken of Yankton; Camille (Brian) Jensen of Harrisburg; Brandi (Eric) Johnson of Sioux Falls; and Brett (Jenn) Jepsen, of Volga. LaVonne had 12 Great-Grandchildren, and 3 Great-Great Grandchildren.
She was a life-long member of Bergan Lutheran Church, where she was active in the Women’s ELCA, taught Sunday School and loved singing in the choir. She was a woman of great faith, and read her Bible up until the last days when she couldn’t. Her family meant the world to her and she was loved by many.
LaVonne was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her son.
Private graveside services will be held.