LaVonne Regan | 1932 - 2025
Obituaries-Pierre / Posted Sep 24, 2025 | 4:23 PM / 218 views
FT. PIERRE, SD – LaVonne Regan, 93, of Fort Pierre died on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at Maryhouse in Pierre. A memorial service will be held in the summer of 2026 in Iowa.
LaVonne was born on March 19, 1932 to Clarence and Alma (Brandt) Sweeney. She grew up on the family farm in New Haven, IA. She attended school in New Haven until her junior year when she switched to Osage, IA, because they had science classes that were not available in New Haven. She graduated from high school in Osage in 1950.
LaVonne continued her education in Mason City, IA, where she graduated nurses training in 1953 at St. Joseph Hospital. While in Mason City she met Dale Johnson and together they had 3 boys: Douglas, David and Thomas.
LaVonne worked as a nurse all around the Midwest as the family made stops in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Ohio before ending back up in Hastings, MN. In Milwaukee she trained as a cardiac nurse and continued to work in cardiac care in the twin cities.
She was an extremely talented artist, painting many beautiful landscapes and portraits in her lifetime. One of her most recent was the New Haven Collage which she painted for New Haven’s centennial celebration. Lavonne also loved flowers, gardening and photography documenting many family events over the years.
LaVonne was widowed in 1982 with the passing of Dale. In 1995 she retired from nursing and that same year married Jim Regan, an old friend. They moved to Indiana where they enjoyed their retirement. LaVonne was very social and enjoyed traveling; a good meal; music and dancing; and playing cards- especially if she won! Jim died in 2007 and LaVonne moved to Pierre in 2008. She hosted many family gatherings and earned her favorite nickname of Great Vonnie!
LaVonne is survived by her sons and their families: Douglas (Libby), David (Sandra), Thomas (Nancee), 8 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers Gene (Dorthy) Sweeney and Don (Sue) Sweeney. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husbands Dale Johnson and Jim Regan.
