Lonnie LaFave, 73, of Onida died unexpectedly Monday, May 20, at Avera St. Mary's Hospital in Pierre. Visitation will be 6-7 p.m. Thursday, May 23, at the Onida Methodist Church with prayer service/Masonic service at 7 p.m. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, May 24, at the Onida Methodist Church, with Pastor Jeff Adel officiating. Burial will be at Onida Cemetery.
Arrangements have been placed in care of Isburg Funeral Chapel. Online condolences may be made at isburgfuneralchapels.com.
Lonnie Dean LaFave was born June 1, 1939, in Geddes to Eugene and Olinda (Odenbach) LaFave. He lived in Fairfax until 1942, when the family moved to a ranch near Draper. In 1945, they moved to a farm east of Onida. He attended Blaine School and then Onida High School until November 1954, when he moved with his family to a ranch east of Pierre. He graduated from Pierre High School in 1957. After high school, he received a technical degree from DeVry Institute. He also enlisted in the S.D. National Guard and received an honorable discharge as a reserve commissioned officer of the Army, 1st Lieutenant on Dec. 6, 1965.
He was united in marriage with Irene (Soogie) McChristy on June 4, 1961, at Salem Lutheran Church in Irene. To this union, four children were born: Alan, Steven, Amy and Linda. They lived in Pierre, where he worked for Hull and Albertus for seven years. On Feb. 1, 1965, Lonnie and Irene opened LaFave Electric, a TV and electrical shop in Onida. He retired in 2007.
Lonnie was active in the Onida Chamber of Commerce, serving as president in 1965. He joined the Onida Fire Department in 1966 and served for 15 years. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, serving as a Sunday school teacher and Lay Leader over the years. He was a member of the Onida Masonic Lodge and served in most of the offices over the years, including Master.
Lonnie was a man of deep faith. He was devoted to his wife, Irene, and especially enjoyed spending time with his family and attending his grandchildren's activities. He also enjoyed going to coffee and playing cards with his many friends.
Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Irene (Oahe Manor, Gettysburg); son, Alan (Kari), of Aberdeen and their children: Ashley and Alexis; son, Steven (Lori) of Mission Hill and their children: Nicholas, Matthew and Thomas; and daughter, Amy (Mark) McGee, of Dell Rapids; brother, Dennis (Lorna); sister, Belva (Clovis) Wood; and brother, Eldon (Lilia); sister-in-law, Myrtle Jackson; nieces and nephews: Janelle (Eddy) Coker, Lynne LaFave, Marty LaFave, Les LaFave, Dawn LaFave, Corey (Susan) LaFave, Joan Jackson, Kent Jackson and Dawn (Shane) Bonham.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Linda Sandau; parents, Eugene and Olinda LaFave; brother and sister-in-law, Wayne and Diann LaFave; niece, Michelle LaFave; brother-in-law, Duane Jackson; and father and mother-in-law, Everett and Christine (Babe) McChristy.
isburgfuneralchapels.com