LaVonne I. Fuller, age 85, of Brookings, passed away Thursday, January 21, 2010, at Brookview Manor in Brookings. Memorial services will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday, January 30, 2010, at First United Methodist Church in Brookings. Visitations will be from 4-8 P.M. Friday, January 29, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings. Memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church or the church choir.

LaVonne Irene (Handeland) Fuller was born February 20, 1924, at Watertown, South Dakota, eldest daughter of Martin Clarence and Erma Lucille (Miller) Handeland. She attended school in Watertown and graduated from Watertown High School in 1942. In 1943, LaVonne traveled to California and worked for the California Shipbuilding Company until 1945. She met young Marine corporal in California who became the love of her life. She and Edwin C. Fuller were married October 19, 1946, in Watertown. Three children were born to their unionRichard, Sandra, and Cynthia.

LaVonne worked for Land O Lakes Creameries from 1945 until 1946, the Brookings Chamber of Commerce from 1958 until 1965, and KBRK Radio from 1965 until 1989.

LaVonne loved singing, and that was evident with her more than 60 years as an active member of the church choir in Watertown and Brookings. She also was active in youth groups and school musical groups in high school. She was a member of TOPS, Circle and Swing Square Dance Club, Brookings County Extension, After Five Christian Women, Brownie assistant leader and den mother. She held many posts over the yearsOutstanding Jaycette 1961, 1962; County Extension Public Relations Chairman; Summer Folk Arts Festival secretary, 1981-1982; state publicity for the South Dakota Dance Association, 1977-1979 and 1987-1988l and a member of the South Dakota Square Dance Callers Association, serving as president from 1970 to 1971. In August 1944, she was a member of a 200 person choir that performed at the War Industries Concert at the Hollywood Bowl. In 1954, LaVonne and Ed started their love affair with square dancing. She also enjoyed square dance camping, reading, singing, volunteer work, knitting, needlework, church activities, and most of all, her family.

Survivors include a son, Richard (Janice) Fuller, of Tunas, Missouri; two daughters: Sandra (Jeff) Harms of Canby, Minnesota, and Cynthia (Dave) Diesen of Weston, Wisconsin; five grandchildren: Keene (Pam) Fuller of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Heidi Henson of Yankton, South Dakota, Gretchen (Joel) Drey of Herrick, South Dakota, Michelle (Ryan) Weed of Cornell, Wisconsin, and Mark (Kristina) Diesen of Spooner, Wisconsin; seven great-grandchildren: Jonathon, Amanda, and Emily Fuller, Keisha Henson, Edwin Drey, Lauren Weed, and Alex Diesen; two sisters: Phyllis Haywa of Deltona, Florida, and Carolee Caplan of Chicago, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Edwin on May 17, 2006; her parents; sister, Maxine Foster; and brothers-in-law, Arnold Caplan and Curt Foster.