LaVonne Wagner, age 85, of Milbank, who passed away on October 19, 2020, at Milbank Area Hospital – Avera Health. Funeral services will be... LaVonne Wagner

LaVonne Wagner, age 85, of Milbank, who passed away on October 19, 2020, at Milbank Area Hospital – Avera Health.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 23, at 10:30 a.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank.  Rev. Tim Koch will officiate, and burial will be at St. Paul’s Cemetery, rural Albee, SD.  Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 22, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank.

While maintaining social distancing guidelines, we are now able to gather for visitations and services. The use of face masks by attendees is recommended, and we will continue taking the necessary steps to keep our facility clean. For those who prefer or require continued precautions, webcasting and/or livestreaming will be viewable at www.mundwilerfuneralhome.net.

LaVonne Irlene Poppen was born on October 31, 1934, in Vernon Township, Grant County, SD.  She was the daughter of Henry and Laurena (Wellnitz) Poppen.  LaVonne was baptized in the Lutheran faith on December 2, 1934, and confirmed on August 28, 1948, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, rural Albee.  LaVonne graduated from Revillo High School with the Class of 1952.  She taught country school for one year in Vernon Township.  She was united in marriage with Eugene Wagner on September 3, 1953, in Revillo, SD.  They were blessed with 62 years of marriage and four children: Debra Ann, Kathryn Mae, Daniel Gene, and Connie Lynn.

LaVonne worked at a variety of places including Dakota State Bank, Johnson’s Oil Company in Revillo, Nassau Farmer’s Elevator, Co-op Oil, and Marietta Oil Company.  She was a volunteer at the Milbank Community Thrift Store and worked in the Grant County Treasurer’s Office, Dan’s Pharmacy, and The Daily Grind Coffee Shop in Milbank.

LaVonne’s religious life was very important to her and she was a faithful member of Emanuel Lutheran Church.  She enjoyed participating in the weekly Bible studies and church activities.  She loved baking muffins, cookies, pies, and bread for the holidays.  She enjoyed gardening, canning, and freezing her harvest.  LaVonne also loved to embroider, solve word circle puzzles, and read.  She enjoyed music, especially religious hymns and country music.

LaVonne is survived by her children: Kathryn (Calvin) Tilbury of Marietta, MN; Daniel (Beth) Wagner, of Milbank, SD; and Connie (Kevin) Larson of Milbank, SD; eight grandchildren; nine and a half great-grandchildren; one brother, Gerald (Dixie) Poppen of Milbank, SD; two sisters-in-law: Donna Wagner and Seletha Poppen; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Eugene on October 13, 2015; infant daughter, Debra Ann (six weeks old); brother, Dean Poppen (and wife Karen); and sister-in-law, Judy James (and husband Dick).

Mundwiler Funeral Home

No comments so far.

Be first to leave comment below.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *