With deep sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, LaVonne Joan Boetel, who went to be with Jesus on Sunday, July 13, 2025.
LaVonne was born on March 31, 1949, in Carroll, Iowa, the fifth of six children to William and Anna (Greving) Danner. She grew up on a farm and fondly shared stories of her childhood spent there. LaVonne graduated from Kuemper High School in 1967 and went on to attend St. Mary’s College in Leavenworth, Kansas. It was there she met Gordon K.N. Boetel, who was serving in the U.S. Army at Fort Leavenworth. They married on March 25, 1971, and soon after moved to Germany.
Following two years abroad, Gordon was reassigned to Fort Leavenworth, where LaVonne gave birth to their two sons, Steven and Kieth. The family returned to Germany for three more years before settling in Manhattan, Kansas, where they made their home.
LaVonne devoted herself to raising her sons, staying home with them through their early years. She later began working at Kansas State University, serving as an administrative assistant in both the College of Agriculture and the Department of Extended Family Services, where she worked for 26 years.
LaVonne had a lifelong love of reading and was rarely found without a book in hand. She also had a deep affection for animals—especially her cats—and found joy in quiet moments spent with a book and a furry friend curled in her lap. Above all LaVonne cherished her grandchildren and delighted in sharing tea and building Legos with them.
LaVonne is survived by her sons: Steven (Kelli) Boetel of Ottawa, Kansas, and Kieth (Lisa) Boetel of Omaha, Nebraska; and by her grandchildren: Hannah (Adam) Emond of Nashville, Tennessee; Brandon Lierz of Topeka, Kansas; Heidi Lierz of Omaha, Nebraska; Alex Boetel of Ottawa, Kansas; Sabrina Boetel of Omaha, Nebraska; Tyler Boetel of Omaha, Nebraska; and Jack Boetel of Ottawa, Kansas.
She is also survived by her siblings: Anna Mae Danner of Omaha, Nebraska; Doris Pawol of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Loren (Pan) Danner of Carroll, Iowa; and William Jr. (Barb) Danner of Carroll, Iowa; and her sister-in-law Diane Danner of Carroll, Iowa.
LaVonne was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon Boetel; her parents, William, and Anna Danner; and her brother, Marvin Danner.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 27, at 5:30 p.m. at Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home in Manhattan, Kansas. The Parish Vigil will be held at 6:30p.m. Sunday July 27 at the funeral home following the visitation.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, July 28, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Manhattan, with Father Frank Coady as Celebrant. Graveside service will take place at 1:00p.m. on Monday July 28 at Fort Riley Main Post Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in memory of LaVonne are suggested to the Wounded Warriors Fund or the KU Olathe Hospice House. Contributions may be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com