LaVonne Ann Elmer, 89, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away Saturday, July 8, 2017, at her home in Austin.

She was born on June 24, 1928, to Ena and Everett Rugg, the oldest of six children. She graduated from Austin High School at age 16 then went on to graduate from the University of Minnesota with a degree in statistics. LaVonne worked as an industrial engineer at Hormel Foods, a substitute teacher and later as an instructor at Austin Community College. She married Bryan “Moe” Elmer on May 6, 1950. They had three children.

During high school she stayed in town with Audrey Erickson and they have been lifelong friends. Golf, bridge, church, working with ROAR, the YMCA, Floral club, PEO, gardening, sewing, knitting and canning were some of her interests. She often did them all at the same time.

LaVonne helped many friends who suffered with cancer, driving some to chemotherapy or radiation, helping in any way she could. She stayed steadfastly with Moe and Craig before they died. She supported her children and grandchildren with their education and expected all of them to do well.

Family was very important to LaVonne. She had a well-worn paper in the den with the Rugg family contact information and also stayed in touch with Gahagens on the Elmer side. She was part of an amazing group of lifelong friends that have remained close and supported each other through the years: Rosie and Dick Seltz, Ann and Jack Sherman, Meem and Ray Asp, Hjordy  Mlinar, the Lommens, Orsheks, Hunttings, Wilsons, Phillips, Gilliams, Shugarts, Fuhrmans, and many others. You have set a standard for friendship that the rest of us can only strive to achieve.

LaVonne is survived by her children, Audrey (Randy) Buck of Sandpoint, Idaho, and Nancy (Dean) Whelan of Austin; daughter-in-law, Sue Elmer of St. Louis Park, Minnesota; grandchildren, Bryan Buck of Sandpoint, Idaho, Bridget Grismer of Portland, Oregon, Abbey (Andrew) Rupiper of Des Moines, Iowa, and Art Elmer of Colorado; brother, Bill (Bette) Rugg; sister, Noel (Tom) Moore, sister-in-law,  Janice Rug, and brother-in-law, Darrell Crawford.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bryan; son Craig; brother, Bob; sister. Jayne, sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Corky, and her friend Jim Wilson.

A special thank you to her caregivers, hospice, and helpers Georgia Ramaker and Tammy Flicek.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 22, at the First Congregational Church in Austin with the Rev. Shari Mason officiating. Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials are suggested to be given to the First Congregational Church, ROAR or charity of your choice.

LaVonne hopes that her memorial service will be a party and that her tombstone will say “She Tried Hard.”