LaVonne Preheim

LaVonne Preheim, 80 of Freeman passed away Saturday, November 11th at Oakview Terrace in Freeman. Funeral Services will be Friday, Nov. 17th at 10:30 am at First Church of God in Marion. Visitation will be Thursday, Nov. 16th from 5-7 pm at the Walter's Funeral Home in Freeman.

LaVonne Loy (Tieszen) Preheim was born on July 24, 1943 and went to her heavenly home at the age of 80 years on November 11, 2023.  LaVonne was raised on a farm near Marion, South Dakota by her parents Dave R. and Lydia (Adrian) Tieszen and attended country school.  She went on to graduate from Freeman Academy High School and married her high school sweetheart, Arden Preheim, on October 20, 1962. They enjoyed 31 years of marriage before Arden passed away in March, 1994.

LaVonne was baptized at the Silver Lake Mennonite Brethren Church, Dolton, SD where she maintained her membership and actively attended for many years. Her love for music was apparent by playing organ and piano in church, and singing in school trios, church trios and choir.

Arden and LaVonne started their family in the Marion/Freeman area and made a move to Evanston Illinois where they joined several other families from this area.  Soon the Illinois gang moved back to South Dakota and took root.

LaVonne waitressed over several years at Julies Café, Mr. B’s, Corner Coral, Home Café (Marion). She decided to become a massage therapist and started her own business in 1993.  She worked as a massage therapist for 25 years also while working at the Salem Home for the Aged for 25 years.

Besides raising her family and helping with the Shorthorn cattle business, she was an avid bowler.  In 1987, her team won the SDWBA State Tournament.

After Arden died, LaVonne moved from the farm into Freeman. She got involved in helping each year at Schmeckfest, became a Lion’s Club member, hosted Domino Lady’s group and attended women’s Bible study at First Church of God.

Everyone knew her love for lighthouses and Elvis.  She collected Precious Moments, Snowbabies, Thomas Kinkade, Angels, Owls and magnets from each trip she took.  She also enjoyed gardening and walking.

Most importantly her faith was evident in her walk with Jesus.  She entrusted Jesus as her Savior and passed it on to her kids.  She was faithful in her prayers and Bible reading.  

Grateful for being her family are: daughter, Lorie and her husband Ron Luke, Garretson, SD; and granddaughter Lindsey (Kyle Thill) Luke with great-grand daughter Lakin, Sioux Falls SD and granddaughter Lara (Cole) Joachim, Spearfish SD; son Reynold and his wife Heidi, grandson Tanner and granddaughter Victoria, Clear Lake SD and grandson Dallis Preheim, Sioux Falls SD; and son, Ryan Preheim, Sioux Falls; brother Duane and his wife Marlys Tieszen, Marion SD; brother-in-law Garris and his wife Pearl Preheim, Houston MO; and sister-in-law Ione Tieszen, Freeman SD; her nieces, and nephews; and her many friends.

Proceeded in death are her parents, her husband Arden, brother Vernon (Viola) Tieszen, sister Edna (Hank) Wentzel, brother Alden Tieszen, and sister Aryss (Ralph) Langrock.