A Funeral Mass for LaVonna Appleby, age 97 of O'Neill, NE, will be 10:30 am Friday, October 6, 2023 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill with Rev. Bernard Starman officiating. Burial will follow in the O'Neill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm Thursday, October 5, 2023 at Biglin's Mortuary with a Scripture Service at 7 pm. LaVonna passed away on Sunday, October 1, 2023 at Arbor Care Center in O'Neill. Memorials may be directed to St. Patrick's Catholic Church Foundation or Avera St. Anthony's Hospital Foundation. Arrangements are entrusted to Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

LaVonna Theresa Moler was born in Wessington Springs, SD on January 27, 1926 to David and Elizabeth Anne (Langan) Moler. The family later moved to Nebraska, where they farmed north of O'Neill. LaVonna graduated from O'Neill High School in 1943 and taught for one year at a rural Holt County school and then worked for the department of defense at the Navy Ammunition Depot in Hastings, NE during World War II.

LaVonna married Fred Appleby on May 18, 1946 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill, NE. She assisted her husband, while raising a family, for twenty-eight years, with their business in O'Neill, Fred's Bar. After selling the business she then worked for twelve years for S & S Distribution Center in O'Neill, retiring in 1988.

LaVonna was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, St. Patrick's Altar Society, and the American Legion Auxiliary. She also did volunteer work for many years after retirement at Avera St. Anthony's Hospital and delivered Meals on Wheels.

After retirement, Fred and LaVonna loved to travel and went south to Arizona for many winters and enjoyed following all of their children and grandchildren's activities. For some strange reason later in life, LaVonna couldn't wait for NFL Sunday's to watch #19 for the Dallas Cowboys.

LaVonna always saw the good in everyone. Her kindness and compassion touched many hearts. LaVonna's faith was undeniable. She was a prayer warrior who continually prayed for the needs of others.

LaVonna is survived by children, Linda (Mike) Verzal of Omaha, Ann Austin of Union, NJ, Ellen (Mike) Ludemann of Pierre, SD, and Greg (Kaye) Appleby of O'Neill; eleven grandchildren; and seventeen great grandchildren.

LaVonna was preceded in death by her husband, Fred in 2002; infant daughter, Mary; infant sons, Michael and Mark; and sons, Bruce in 2005, Chuck in 2021, and Kelly in 2022. Also, her parents; four sisters, Dorothy Lambert, Irene Sullivan, Mary Jane Baker, and Virginia Motacek; and three brothers, Donald, Russell, and John.