Lavonne K. Fenske, 90, of Owatonna, passed away on Monday, June 5, 2023 at Benedictine Living Community.

She was born January 27, 1933 in Artas, South Dakota to George and Katherine (Kusler) Orth. She grew up and attended school there, and shortly after school she worked as a waitress in Herreid, South Dakota. While working in the restaurant, she got to know a gentleman, and they noticed one another making eye contact through the mirror. That man was Gordon Fenske; they were married on February 14, 1953. They then lived in Virginia where Gordon was stationed in the Army. After that they moved back to South Dakota where Gordon taught for a while before moving to Owatonna for a new teaching job. Lavonne loved the trees and nature in the Owatonna area, and that quickly convinced her to want to live here. Lavonne loved to travel with Gordon in their retirement. She and Gordon loved to travel out east and visit the historical places and learn about the history of the presidents. At home, you would likely find her tending to her flower gardens as she loved flowers and how they would look together to create a beautiful picture. She was known for her ability to cook healthy and delicious meals, and she made the best apple pies anywhere. She was an avid reader, especially of biographies and history. Lavonne loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Lavonne's Christian faith was of utmost importance to her, and she knew she would spend her eternity with the Lord.

Lavonne is survived by her children, Joye (and Glen) Wolf of Owatonna; Tom Fenske of Los Angeles, CA; Carol (and John) Thom of Owatonna; Jennifer (and Daniel) Ohnstad of Goodhue; grandchildren, Sarah Wolf, Nicholas (and Laura) Thom, Jayd (and David) Sharpe, Paul and Helen Fenske, Rebecca (and Gabriel) Walters, Angela (and Brock) Buytaert, Joel (and Sharece) Ohnstad, Samuel (and Elizabeth) Ohnstad, Isaac (and Rebecca) Ohnstad, Nathan (and Abigail) Ohnstad, Elijah, Katherine, Nicole, Abraham, and Elisabeth Ohnstad; and also by 18 great-grandchildren .

She was preceded in death by her husband Gordon Fenske; parents, George and Katherine Orth; siblings Eileen Vilhauer, Clarence Orth, Delores Ricketts, George Orth Jr.; and daughter-in-law Julia Fenske.

Funeral services will be held at Bethel Church on Thursday, June 8th, 2023 at 2PM, with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Pastor Micheal Simmerman will be officiating. Interment will be in the Owatonna Memorial Gardens in Owatonna. Memorials are preferred to Samaritan's Purse or to Bethel Church.