Lavonne Boettcher

Lavonne J. Boettcher, age 83, of Rake, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 28, 2021 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Care Center in Blue Earth, MN. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at Zion Lutheran Church in Rake. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Rake Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to St. Luke’s Care Center in Blue Earth or the donor’s choice.

Lavonne was born on February 25, 1938 in Buffalo County, NE, the daughter of Berthold and Ella (Ohlmann) Gruhn. She spent her early years in Nebraska, moving to Iowa in the 7th grade. She graduated from Buffalo Center High School, the class of 1956, and then worked at the elevator in Buffalo Center. On July 20, 1958, she married Ronald Boettcher at Zion Lutheran Church in Rake. Rake is where they spent 60 years together before moving to assisted living in the nursing home.

Lavonne was employed at Farmers Trust and Savings Bank in Buffalo Center, the State Savings Bank in Rake, and held various bookkeeping positions in Rake throughout the years. She also worked many years during the tax season for Dale Stallkamp, CPA. Lavonne was a member of the church choir for many years, the altar guild, Ladies Aid, and she assisted Ron with the outdoor custodial duties at the church, which included planting and watering the flowers and helping mow the lawn. She and Ronald were also members of the Rake Rocking R’s since its inception, and they enjoyed several years of square dancing at various venues in Iowa and Minnesota. Lavonne supplied baked goods for all the church bake sales and was a faithful helper at St. Luke’s with Bingo and the monthly birthday parties. She treasured her grandchildren and loved to have them visit; always having baked goods and other treats on hand for them.

Lavonne is survived by her husband, Ronald Boettcher; daughters, Joan (Brian) Meyer of Fairmont, MN, and Julie (Duane) Davids of Lakota; grandchildren, Danielle and Dustin Meyer, and Emily, Alan and Taylor Davids; sister, Florence (Bob) Natzke; brother, Virgil Gruhn; sister-in-law, Linda Gruhn; brother-in-law, Gary (Alice) Boettcher; along with many nieces, nephews and extended family.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her in-laws, Henry and Irene Boettcher; infant son, Mark Allen Boettcher; sister, Lois Gruhn; brother, Roger Gruhn; and sister-in-law, Sharon Gruhn.

Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, MN, is entrusted with arrangements. Please see brussheitner.com to leave online condolences for the family.