Lavanelle Aanenson


Lavanelle Aanenson, 90, Sioux Falls, S.D., formerly of Pipestone, died Sunday, March 25, 2018 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls.

Funeral services were held Thursday, March 29 at First Lutheran Church with Rev. Joyce Tollefson Capp officiating.

Honorary casket bearers were Caden Callahan, Landon Dahlen and Chase Callahan.

Casket bearers were Jennifer Callahan Nicholas Tappe, Jourdan Torok, Kasey Aanenson, Ashlee Stickney, Emily Aanenson, Jay Tappe, Megan Wiese and Denton Aanenson.

Interment was in Old Woodlawn Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to the Dougherty Hospice House.

Lavanelle Aanenson was born to Nels Chris and Nellie (Featherstone) Nelson on March 19, 1928 in Luverne. She was raised in the Kenneth, Hardwick and Magnolia area. At the age of 12, Lavanelle met Howard Aanenson through their mutual interest of dancing at the local hall, not knowing they would later be united in marriage on March 1, 1948 in Luverne.

The couple began farming on various farms near Kenneth, Hardwick, and Pipestone. Lavanelle also worked in administration at Pipestone High School until the family moved into town in 1967. She transitioned to the vocational school where she continued to work until her retirement in the spring of 1987. She was proud of her 20 years at the school. She always said how rewarding it was to see the students grow and continue their education.

The couple lived in Sioux Falls before returning to Pipestone.

Howard preceded Lavanelle in death on Oct. 17, 2011. She continued to live at the Ridge View Estates in Pipestone until 2012. She then moved to Sioux Falls residing at the Prince of Peace Senior Care Center. On Saturday, March 24 she entered the Dougherty Hospice House.

She was a member of First Lutheran Church in Pipestone.

She is survived by her three children, Larry (Penni) Aanenson, Fulda, Sheila (Vince) Tappe, Blaine and Dennis (Lizette) Aanenson, Sioux Falls;  nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and special niece, Judy Nelson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard; parents, Nels Chris and Nellie; and siblings, Dorothy Whalen, Orville Nelson, Donald Nelson, Gladys Thompson and Wanda Carlson.

(Hartquist Funeral Home,

Pipestone Chapel)