LaVonne E. Johnson, age 76, passed away on December 31, 2016, at the Neighborhoods in Brookings, SD, surrounded by her family.  Memorial services are 10:30AM, Thursday, January 5, 2017, at Abundant Life Church in Brookings. Visitations will be 9:30AM until time of service at the church.  Eidsness Funeral Home is assisting family with arrangements.

LaVonne was born on February 5, 1940, in Huron, South Dakota, the daughter of Alvin and Edna (Woods) Kemp.  She grew up on a farm near Lake Norden, SD, and received her education in  Lake Norden.  LaVonne was united in marriage to Darwin Johnson on August 27, 1959, in Rapid City, South Dakota.  LaVonne worked for several years as a cook, truck driver and was owner and operator of the Diver Café in Lake Preston, South Dakota.  She was later employed for the state of South Dakota as an in-home health care professional and as a dietary aid.

She enjoyed gardening, flowers, knitting, cooking, ceramics, reading, crocheting, camping and fishing.

LaVonne is survived by her husband, Darwin Johnson of Brookings; her children, DeWayne (Johnson) Woods of Sioux Falls, SD; Julie (Jim) Colby of Volga, SD; Donavan (Lynn) Johnson of Sioux Falls, SD; Darin (Linda - fiancée) Johnson of Brookings, SD; grandchildren, Chris, Rolly and Jason Johnson, Kelly Stevens, Ashley (Jeremy) Janssen; two brothers, Walter (Wanda) AntiJuntie of Watertown, SD and Ronnie AntiJuntie of Bradly, SD; one great grandchild, three step-grandchildren, and three special friends: Carrol Morris, Phyllis Zietner, and Jennie Groepper.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Duane Kemp and Kenneth Kemp, one sister Amarylls Marino and one daughter-in-law Melinda.