LaVonne Kusser

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LaVonne Kusser, 95, of Highmore, passed away on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, surrounded by family at Highmore Health.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, August 26, 2024, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Highmore, with Monsignor Charles Mangen, celebrant. Burial will follow at the Kusser Cemetery, rural Highmore.  Visitation will begin at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, August 25, 2024, followed by a 7:00 p.m., prayer service, all at the church.

Carol LaVonne (Sivertsen) Kusser was born February 26, 1929, in Ree Heights, South Dakota to Edwin and Jessie (Lott) Sivertsen.  LaVonne grew up on a farm south of Ree Heights, South Dakota. After graduation from Miller High School in 1947 she worked at a bank in Miller. She was united in marriage to the love of her life, Joseph Kusser, on June 1, 1949. Nine children were born into this union.

LaVonne and Joe made their home on the Kusser family ranch in southern Hyde County. LaVonne kept quite busy raising her nine children, eight of which arrived in the first 10 years of marriage. She was a meticulous housekeeper, and a very talented cook, baker, and seamstress.  Those lucky enough to be seated at LaVonne’s table were treated to a great meal as well as five-star service. Even well into her 80’s she made sure the Thanksgiving dessert menu included the favorite homemade pies of every one of the 40-50 family members in attendance and she was never seated until all of her guests were served.

LaVonne was an active member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Altar Society and later as a member of the Catholic Daughters. She enjoyed going to her children’s, grandchildren’s, and great grandchildren’s activities. Her later years afforded her time to make numerous quilts for charitable benefits and for family members, as well as keep better track of the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Lakers.

In 2014 LaVonne moved from the family ranch into Highmore. At that time she began volunteering at the Highmore Health Center and was honored with their Volunteer of the Year award. She became a resident of the health center in 2019.

Survivors include her children: Shirley Dittman, Highmore, SD; Sharon Rau, Aberdeen, SD; Joey (Peggy) Kusser, Highmore, SD; Nancy (Burt) Humphrey, Eagle River, Alaska; Jerry (Jody) Kusser, Highmore, SD; Brenda (Paul) Gropper, Long Valley, SD; Tim Kusser, Springer, OK; Diane (Skip) Moody, Letcher, SD; and Pam (Colby) Hannum, Fort Pierre, SD; 17 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren; brother, Ed (Christine) Sivertsen; and numerous nieces and nephews.

LaVonne is preceded in death by her husband, Joe; her parents; sons-in-law, Jim Dittman and Jerry Rau; her brothers and sisters-in-law: Vernon (Clara), DeWayne (Ruth), Wilmer (Shirley), and Leland (MaryAnn) Sivertsen; infant sister, Shirley Ann; and in-laws: Simon (Eileen), Ed/Buzz (Vonnie) Kusser, and Betty (Ronnie) Heckenlaible.

2 Timothy 4:7 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with LaVonne's arrangements