Lavonne Thirstrup

RAPID CITY - Lavonne Thirstrup, 84, of Rapid City went to be with the Lord Sunday, March 14, 2004, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Lavonne was born January 27, 1920 in Mapleton, Iowa, to Leander and Pearl Dale. She is remembered for her dedication to her family, delicious meals, homemade cinnamon rolls, and her great hospitality. She took great care of her family while her husband, Jens, was overseas in WWII. She lived much of her life in Sioux Falls, SD and was active there in her church, loved to sing, and was a leader for the Girl Scouts. Lavonne and her husband, Jens moved to Rapid City, in 1997 to be closer to family. She was excellent at keeping in touch with her many friends and relatives. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her, but we find comfort knowing she and Grandpa Jens are in heaven together praising God. Lavonne is survived by her four children Dr. Larry (Emily) Thirstrup of Slidell, LA, and Jerry (Sandi) Thirstrup of Rapid City, and her daughters Judy (Dick) Churchwell and Connie Thirstrup of Rapid City; eight grandchildren, Bob Thirstrup, Dr. Larry Thirstrup Jr., Marcus Thirstrup, Derek Thirstrup, Ashley Thirstrup, Jodi DeJong, Sarah Diaz, and Dan Churchwell; nine great-grandchildren Lauren and Caroline Thirstrup, Jessica, Brandon, Jonathan, Brianna, Joshua DeJong, Praetoria and Silas Diaz; and five step-grandchildren Angie Woods, Alicia Asbridge, Stephen Fallon, Victoria Fallon, and Grace Carlin. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 64 years, Jens Thirstrup, her sisters Mary Greenough, Bethine Anderson, and her brothers Claude Dale, Elmer Dale, Floyd Dale, Leonard Dale and Walter Dale. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 18, 2004, at the Campbell, Paula & Quinn Funeral Home in Rapid City with Pastor Dick Nickel officiating. Visitation will be held one hour before the service. Burial will be at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church in Sioux Falls, S.D. or the Gideons. Memorials may be sent to Connie Thirstrup, 505 Belmont Dr., Rapid City, SD 57702. Campbell, Paula & Quinn Funeral Service in Rapid City is in charge of arrangements.