LaVonne Puffer

LaVonne Puffer, 99, of Miller, passed away surrounded by her family on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital in Miller.

Memorial Mass will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 11, 2023, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Miller, with Father Paul Josten, celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Ann’s Cemetery, Miller. Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m., followed by a 7:00 p.m. wake service on Sunday, December 10, 2023, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church. 

LaVonne Arline Crawford was born on her family’s farm in Miner County near Roswell, SD, on February 22, 1924, to William Roy and Ragnhild (Christopherson) Crawford.  She attended grade school in Miner and Lake County and Eastern High School in Madison, SD. LaVonne’s family moved to Hand County in 1940 and she graduated from Ree Heights High School in 1942.

She married Bayard “Bud” Puffer on October 6, 1942, at Cedar Catholic Church in Como Township. They lived on the Puffer family ranch until moving to Miller in 1975. To this union, two daughters were born, Gae and Debra. Lavonne and Bud spent 73 loving years working together.

She belonged to the Stephan Altar Society and St. Ann’s Altar Society. She worked as a teacher’s aide while living on the ranch and was always Bud’s co-partner in all the many ranching activities. After moving to town in 1975, she worked as an aide for 20 years at the Hand County Library. She also worked side-by-side with Bud on many finishing carpentry jobs.

LaVonne was known for being gracious and accepting. She enjoyed quilting, reading, walking with friends, and visiting with people. Her most immense love was spending time with her family. 

Survivors include two daughters: Gae (John) Larson of Mankato, MN, and Deb (John) Bushfield of Miller; four grandchildren: Carma (Eric Peterson) Gorman of Austin, TX, Dana (Tania) Ruhnke of Miller; Erin (Calvin) Kindle of Miller, and Andrea (Adam) Zeller of Brookings; 12 great-grandchildren: Marit Peterson, Whyley Ruhnke, Kallie (Ethan) Fernau, Kael Ruhnke, Carter (Kaytlyn) Kindle, Jarek Kindle, Tyson Kindle, Elliot Kindle, Ramsey Zeller, Veda Zeller, Nolan Zeller, and Silas Zeller; and one great-great-grandchild, Kes LaVonne Fernau.

LaVonne was preceded in death by her parents, William Roy and Ragnhild Crawford; her husband, Bud, in 2015; her brother and sister-in-law, Arthur and Eileen Crawford; her sister, Donna Jones; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Gladys Etbauer; her son-in-law Donald Ruhnke; and her nephew, Rex Crawford.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with LaVonne’s arrangements.