LaVonne Preheim, 80
LaVonne Preheim, 80, of Freeman, passed away Nov. 11 at Oakview Terrace in Freeman. A funeral service was scheduled for Friday, Nov. 17 at 10:30 a.m. at First Church of God in Marion.
LaVonne Loy (Tieszen) Preheim was born on July 24, 1943 and raised on a farm near Marion, S.D. by her parents Dave R. and Lydia (Adrian) Tieszen and attended country school. She went on to graduate from Freeman Academy High School and married her high school sweetheart, Arden Preheim, on Oct. 20, 1962. They enjoyed 31 years of marriage before Arden passed away in March, 1994.
LaVonne was baptized at the Silver Lake Mennonite Brethren Church, Dolton, S.D., where she maintained her membership and actively attended for many years. Her love for music was apparent by playing organ and piano in church, and singing in school trios, church trios and choir.
Arden and LaVonne started their family in the Marion/Freeman, S.D., area and made a move to Evanston Illinois where they joined several other families from this area. Soon the Illinois gang moved back to South Dakota and took root.
LaVonne waitressed over several years at Julies Café, Mr. B’s, Corner Coral, Home Café (Marion). She decided to become a massage therapist and started her own business in 1993. She worked as a massage therapist for 25 years also while working at the Salem Home for the Aged for 25 years.
Besides raising her family and helping with the Shorthorn cattle business, she was an avid bowler. In 1987, her team won the SDWBA State Tournament.
After Arden died, LaVonne moved from the farm into Freeman. She got involved in helping each year at Schmeckfest, became a Lion’s Club member, hosted Domino Lady’s group and attended women’s Bible study at First Church of God.
Everyone knew her love for lighthouses and Elvis. She collected Precious Moments, Snowbabies, Thomas Kinkade, Angels, Owls and magnets from each trip she took. She also enjoyed gardening and walking.
Most importantly her faith was evident in her walk with Jesus. She entrusted Jesus as her Savior and passed it on to her kids. She was faithful in her prayers and Bible reading.
Grateful for being her family are: daughter, Lorie and her husband Ron Luke, Garretson, S.D.; and granddaughter Lindsey (Kyle Thill) Luke with great-grand daughter Lakin, Sioux Falls, S.D., and granddaughter Lara (Cole) Joachim, Spearfish SD; son Reynold and his wife Heidi, grandson Tanner and granddaughter Victoria, Clear Lake, S.D., and grandson Dallis Preheim, Sioux Falls; and son, Ryan Preheim, Sioux Falls; brother Duane and his wife Marlys Tieszen, Marion; brother-in-law Garris and his wife Pearl Preheim, Houston, Mo.; and sister-in-law Ione Tieszen, Freeman; her nieces and nephews; and her many friends.
Proceeded in death are her parents, her husband Arden, brother Vernon (Viola) Tieszen, sister Edna (Hank) Wentzel, brother Alden Tieszen, and sister Aryss (Ralph) Langrock.
