LaVon R. "Bonnie" Muzzy

RAPID CITY - LaVon "Bonnie" R. Muzzy, 69, died Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011, with her family by her side at Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City, South Dakota.

LaVon was born March 20, 1942, in Rugby, North Dakota, to Fred and Margaret (Lacher) Fettig.  She grew up in Crosby, N.D., with her brothers and sisters. LaVon met Jerald (Jerry) in high school. Jerald played basketball for Fortuna High School and LaVon was a cheerleader for Crosby High School. It was the competing schools basketball game that brought their love together. After completing high school, LaVon moved to Minnesota where she attended college at the University of Minnesota with a degree in Medical Technology. LaVon and Jerald remained in contact through love letters.

On May 30, 1964, LaVon married Jerald Muzzy in Crosby, N.D. They moved to Watertown, S.D., where LaVon worked as a Laboratory Technician. They relocated to Huron, S.D., and started a family. After living in various cities in South Dakota, they settled in Rapid City in 1985. LaVon started at Consumer Credit Counseling Services of the Black Hills, as Director of Counseling in 1987 and retired in 2005. She helped more than 9,000 people in her 18 years of service.

LaVon was best known for her smile and laughter, humor, kind spirit and positive outlook on everything.  She loved to sing and dance and tell funny jokes. She was the center of our family, taking care of everyone and making sure we remained close. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and wife. She was devoted to her spirituality giving selflessly to the church while inspiring everyone she touched. She volunteered her time to the Jail Ministry to lead others to hope and spiritual fulfillment; all will miss her kind and loving spirit.

LaVon is survived by her husband, Jerald Muzzy, a son, Stuart Muzzy, and his wife, Julie Muzzy; a daughter, Tonja O'Cilka, and her husband, Jason O'Cilka; and two grandchildren, Austin and Samantha O'Cilka; all of Rapid City; her father, Fred Fettig, Bismarck, N.D.; five brothers: Roman (Donna) Fettig, Crosby, N.D.; Richard (Jan) Fettig, Bismarck, N.D.; Duane Fettig, Richville, Minn.; Al (Marge) Fettig, Kent, Wash.; Tom Fettig, Lynnwood, Wash.; and two sisters: Carla (Eric) Langseth, Burns, Wyo, and Loretta (Ron) Mashak, LaCrosse, Wis.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Margaret (Lacher) Fettig.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 25, with a Christian Wake Service following at 7 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 26, at the church with Rev. Tyler Dennis presiding.

Interment will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home of Rapid City is in charge of arrangements.

An online guestbook is available at www.osheimschmidt.com.