LaVaye Dubro, age 84 of Iroquois, SD, entered her heavenly home, surrounded by her family, on Friday, July 14, 2017 at the Sanford (USD) Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.

Her Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 20, 2017 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Iroquois, SD, with burial at the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, July 19, at the Welter Funeral Home in Huron, SD, with a prayer service to begin at 7:00 p.m.; or visitation one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.

LaVaye Tibbetts was born in Huron, SD (Beadle County) on January 26, 1933 to Donald Orin and Ruth Margaret (Clement) Tibbetts of Bancroft, SD.  She attended grade school and high school at Bancroft Independent School District graduating in 1951.  Upon graduation, LaVaye moved to De Smet, SD where she was employed at Peschel Lockers.

Lavaye married Lowell Clark Dubro of rural Iroquois on December 27th, 1951 at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Bancroft, SD.  Lowell was in the U.S.  Airforce and was still training, so LaVaye continued to work for Fred Peschel until she joined her husband in Washington D.C.  where he was stationed at Andrews Airforce Base from 1953 until 1955.  In April of 1955 the couple returned to the family farm (now a century farm) until her passing.

LaVaye was baptized into the Presbyterian faith and upon her marriage to Lowell, joined the Lutheran faith of her husband and his church.  LaVaye was a very active member in the church, serving on the church council, Sunday school teacher superintendent, and president of the church women.  LaVaye also served as the church lector and treasurer of the parish (Carthage, Artesian, and rural Iroquois) for ten years.  In 2002, she was recognized by the Parish as a dedicated servant for the work she had done.

In 1968, LaVaye was chosen as one of the Top Ten Women in South Dakota.  From 1972 until 1980, she owned and operated L & L Catering Service.  In 1982, she became the National Pre-Teen and Petite State Director for the South Dakota Pageant system.  LaVaye worked and was trained under the National office in Le High Acres, FL.  In 1985, LaVaye started her own pageant system and trained over 700 young women until her retirement.    LaVaye was also instrumental in starting the first Snow Queen pageant in Kingsbury County and the Iroquois School System.

Over the years, LaVaye was a volunteer for the American Red Cross, and served as president of the Parent Teacher's Association.  She was the State Secretary for the SD American Agriculture Movement, and lobbied in Washington D.C. for farmers in the early 1980's.  LaVaye was also secretary for the Mr. and Mrs. Dance Club in Huron.

In 1970, LaVaye and her husband, Lowell hosted a foreign exchange student from Nicaragua.  Rosario Vilchez lived with them for 13 months and attended Iroquois High School to study the English Language.

In 2009, LaVaye was chosen from 23 women from South Dakota to be recognized for the Spirit of South Dakota Award.

LaVaye was unselfish, always thinking of others, did deeds of mercy, and showed acts of love to make others happy.  She was a caregiver to her parents and beloved sister, Marjorie.

Grateful for having shared in LaVaye's life are her beloved husband of 65 years, Lowell; her  daughters, Lonna (Mike) Wilson of Tea, SD and Leah (Mark) Gath of Luverne, MN; five grandsons: Darrin TeBeest (fiancé) Darcie Sauer of Sioux Falls, SD, Jason (Shelley) TeBeest of Brandon, SD,  Adam Wilson of Sioux Falls, SD, Dalton Gath  and Stetson Gath of Luverne, MN;  one granddaughter, Ashley Wilson of Tea, SD; four great-grandchildren: Rebecca Eidenshink-TeBeest, Briley TeBeest, Dakota TeBeest, and Gunnar Wilson;  one great-great-granddaughter, Hensley Eidenshink-TeBeest;  special family member, Rosario Torres of Managua, Nicaragua;  twin brother LaVerne (Twila) Tibbetts of Blue Earth, MN; sister, Charlene Danilko of De Smet, SD; sister-in-law, Brenda Tibbetts of Sioux Falls, SD; several nieces and nephews; and seven godchildren, one who is now deceased; special friend of the family Dwayne LaFave of De Smet, SD.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Laurie; parents, Donald and Ruth; sister, Marjorie Tibbetts; two brothers, Donald and Craig Tibbetts; and two brothers-in-law, Harvey Hoffer and Ed Danilko; mother and father-in-law, Herman and Mary Dubro

With the help of her strong faith, LaVaye has always hoped that God would reach out and take her home to not only prepare the path for her loved ones still on this earth to later join her, but to also be reunited with her loved ones who have gone on before her, whom she has immensely missed and longed to see.