LaVonne C. (Kroon) Westra was born on a farm in eastern South Dakota on December 5, 1931. She attended Flandreau High School and graduated from Augustana College in Sioux Falls. From there she began teaching in northwest Iowa and eastern South Dakota before moving with her husband to Detroit, MI. They lived in Detroit, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis before moving to Rockford, IL in 1972. Then, for a number of years, LaVonne worked as a teacher’s aide in the Rockford school district. LaVonne loved to paint and sew. Her sewing led to creating crafts which she sold at craft shows for many years. She was a dedicated steward of those in need. LaVonne volunteered for many years at the Children’s Clothes Closet, Carpenters Place, and the Children’s Home and Aid Society Holiday House. In later years she volunteered at Our Saviors Lutheran Church with the DoDay Ladies quilting group and the Senior Luncheon. LaVonne loved to travel and visited Europe, Norway, Hawaii, the Holy Land, and the Greek Isles. LaVonne’s deep faith in God, her gentle spirit and loving nature has been handed down to succeeding generations.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Rolland O. Westra; three children, Jay (Mari) Westra, Corey (Barbara) Westra, and Kim (Steve) Donovan; four grandchildren, Natalie Donovan, Betsy Donovan, Nicole Westra, and Mitchell Westra.

Her funeral service was held September 27 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Rockford. Burial in Scandinavian Cemetery.

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