LaVonne C. Hovenga, 87, of Grinnell, IA passed away on July 22, 2025, at the Mayflower Health Center.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on July 29, 2025, at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell, IA. A visitation will be held at 10:00 am, an hour prior to the service at Smith Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at Hazelwood cemetery followed by a luncheon back at Smith Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made payable to Prairie Lakes Church mailed in c/o Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.

LaVonne was born on October 13, 1937, to Cornie and Nina (Janssen) Mooi in Ackley, IA. LaVonne was raised in Ackley and developed a passion for music. She sang in a Quartet in high school and earned All-State Choir honors from 1953-54. LaVonne then graduated with the Ackley High School class of 1955.

On September 28, 1955, LaVonne was united in marriage to Donald Hovenga at the St. John Evengelical and reformed church in Ackley, IA. To this union the couple had four children, Diane, Duane, Brian and Henry.

LaVonne and Don raised their four children on their Dairy Farm in Ackley before moving to Grinnell. LaVonne worked for Delong's sportwear for 10 years until her retirement in 1999. She was a member and held multiple church office positions at First Baptist Church in Grinnell, IA. She was a member of Farm Bureau, and the ABWM (American Board of Wound Management).

LaVonne enjoyed retirement by spending time with her family, cooking and gardening. She always looked forward to her trips to Branson, MO.

She is survived by her children; Diane Hovenga of Newton, IA, Duane (Teresa) Hovenga of Collinsville, OK, and Brian Hovenga of Ankeny, IA; her grandchildren, Paul (Misty) Hovenga, Ryan (Danielle) Hovenga, Matthew (Brianna) Hovenga, Emily Hovenga, and Laura Hovenga; her great-grandchildren, Aubrey Hovenga, Bryson Hovenga, Brooklyn Hovenga, Terra Nunn, Alex Nunn, Ash Hovenga, Lucas Hovenga, and Elliana Hovenga; and her sister-in-law, Colleen Mooi.

She is preceded by her husband, Donald, her parents, Cornie and Nina, her brother, Leslie Mooi, her son Henry Hovenga, her granddaughter Krystle Strovers, and daughter-in-law, Lois Hovenga.