Obituary

LaVonda F. Claassen, 70, died Thursday (April 17, 2008) at her home in Newton. She was born on July 12, 1937, in Enid, Okla., the daughter of Agnes (Regier) and Virgil Buller. On Aug. 22, 1958, she married Dr. Milton Claassen in Mingo. He survives. She worked as a nurse and a housewife during her lifetime. She also is survived by her mother, Agnes Buller of Inman; four sons and daughters-in-laws, Dale and Ann Claassen of Elmira, Ore., Kendall and Carol Claassen of Whitewater, Craig and Laura Claassen of Cedar Park, Texas, and Bruce and Amy Claassen of Hesston; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Gloria and Ralph Goossen of Friend, Neb., Sharon and Al DeBoer of Pagosa Springs, Colo., and Anita and Gary Pryor of San Diego; sister-in-law, Virginia Claassen of North Newton; and 11 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father, Virgil Buller. Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home in Newton, with the family present to greet friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Faith Mennonite Church in Newton, with Pastor Gordon Smith presiding. There will be no burial at this time. Memorials may be made to Harry Hynes Hospice, Newton Safe House or the Mennonite Central Committee School Kits in care of the funeral home.