LaVonne A. Mueller

LaVonne A. Mueller, age 85, of Crofton, Nebraska, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at Avera Majestic Bluffs Hospice House in Yankton, South Dakota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM on Monday, July 1, 2024, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Crofton, Nebraska, with Reverend Jim Keiter officiating. Burial will be in the Beaver Creek Cemetery in rural Crofton, Nebraska. Visitation is from 3:00 to 5:00 PM on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Crofton, Nebraska, with a rosary and vigil service at 5:00 PM. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Crofton, Nebraska.

LaVonne A. Mueller was born November 13, 1938, in Yankton at Sacred Heart Hospital, to William and Leona (Bruns) Thunker of Crofton. LaVonne grew up on a farm near Crofton, attended the Crofton schools until graduating from Crofton High School in 1956. In that same year she met the love of her life, Francis J. Mueller at a 4th of July dance in St. Helena, Nebraska, and they were married on September 25th at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. They lived on a farm in South Yankton for 5 years, then bought and moved to a farm near the Beaver Creek area in 1962. LaVonne and Franny live on this farm for 39 years. LaVonne took great pride in raising her 11 children: Michael, Timothy, Kenneth, Gordon, Jeffery, Peter, Nancy, Joseph, Wanda, Luann and Lynn. The family prayed together, milked cows, gardened, raised hogs and chickens and farmed the land. When all of LaVonne’s children were grown, she worked at a Kolor Me Kids Daycare in Yankton, and cleaned houses. In 2003, LaVonne and Franny built their current home on the south edge of Crofton.

LaVonne was a devoted woman of the Catholic Faith, and Cancer Survivor who handled adversity with grace and God by her side. As a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church in Menominee, Nebraska, she served as president and treasurer of the Ladies Guild, was on the parish council, served as an EME and was head of many committees. After moving to Crofton, she became a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Crofton where she was active on the Ladies Guild, Christian Mothers and attended adoration weekly. She was a member of the Crofton American Legion Auxiliary, where she formerly served as President and Secretary for 20 years. LaVonne was an excellent cook and baker of all things. She had a big garden, could can a mean dill pickle, loved to dance and play cards, attended many sporting events, and enjoyed an occasional outing to the casino or to play bingo. Most of all, she was a devoted, faithful, loving Mother and Grandmother who loved being with her family and her legacy will live on in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her 10 children: Michael (Terry) of Crofton; Kenneth (Dawn) of Yankton, South Dakota; Gordon (Lori) of Crofton; Jeffery (Jane) of Yankton; Peter (Lisa) of Crofton; Nancy (Eric Moore) of Yankton; Joseph (Tina) Mueller of Yankton; Wanda (Tom) Allen of Crofton; Luann (Brett) Kennedy of Yankton; and Lynn (Cody Richardson) of Yankton; 35 grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren; 61 great-grandchildren; 7 step-great-grandchildren; sister, DeeAnn Phipps; two sisters-in-law: Georgie Thunker and Lorrie Thunker; brother-in-law, Mike Braunsroth as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Francis on September 26, 2021; son, Timothy; grandson, Kyle; great-grandchildren: Ivey and Layla; daughter-in-law, Sheryl; brother-in-law, Joel Phipps; brothers: Jerry Thunker and Verne Thunker; sister, Darnelle Braunsroth and many extended relatives and friends.