LaVonne Alois Whitney

On Thursday September 12, 2019, LaVonne Whitney, loving wife, mother and grandmother passed away at the age of 96.  LaVonne was born April 2, 1923 in Dell Rapids, SD to Anton and Agnes Kopren.  She grew up in Sioux Falls, SD where she graduated from Washington High School and subsequently worked at Lewis Drug .  During WWII, she met Frank Grant Whitney, who was in the Army Air Corps training in her home town.  They married on March 20, 1945.  The couple moved to Knoxville, TN, where LaVonne worked while Frank attended college.  After Frank graduated they moved to Biloxi, MS where they welcomed two daughters, Christine and Marilyn. Later the family moved to Maryland where they lived for over 50 years before retiring to
DeFuniak Springs, FL.

LaVonne dedicated herself to her family, home and church.  She taught children’s Sunday School, served meals to the homeless and sang in church choirs for over 60 years. She loved to cook and bake. She and her husband enjoyed traveling.  They lived for several years in Iran and Morocco.  They visited the Holy Lands, Norway and other destinations in Europe and Asia and North America.

LaVonne was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 72 years, and brothers Jerald and Robert Kopren. She is survived by daughter Christine and husband Paul Guzowski of DeFuniak Springs, daughter Marilyn Whitney of DeFuniak Springs, and grandson Navy Chief Petty Officer Daniel and wife Nagako Turcotte, and their children Shota and Tiffany of Honolulu, HI.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. in First United Methodist Church with Reverend Francis Turner officiating.  Memorials may be made in Lavonne Whitney's memory to First United Methodist Church, 88 Circle Drive, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32435.  .  Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery upon completion of coordination with National Cemetery scheduling.