LaVonne Mary Ruff, née Grant, 86, of Bellevue, Iowa, passed away on January 18th, 2024, at home.

Friends and family may visit from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday January 23rd, 2024, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road, with a Wake Service to begin at 4:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday January 24th, 2024 at 10:30 a.m., at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Key West with Monsignor Thomas Toale officiating. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery.

LaVonne Mary Grant was born on August 7th, 1937, to Clement Henry Grant and Mary Agnes Pitz Grant. She went to a one room schoolhouse near Scales Mounds, Illinois. She graduated from Scaled Mound High School in 1955.

LaVonne met her true love when she was 16 at Moonlite Gardens. Remigius Ruff and LaVonne married December 31st, 1956. Remigius was in the United Stated Army for two years. Together they had three children: Steven J. Ruff Sr., Debra Jean Ruff, and Jeffrey Clement Ruff. Sadly, Debra passed away on September 17th, 2012.

LaVonne loved to cook. Her husband said she could make a meal out of nothing. She loved to watch western movies, Gunsmoke, and anything with John Wayne and Audie Murphy. She liked to watch and listen to anything Elvis. LaVonne was also very proud of her military family.

LaVonne is survived by her children Steven Ruff and Jeffrey Ruff, 9 grandchildren Amanda Jean Burnett, Melissa Ruff Keleher, Ricky Allen Burnett, Shaun Joseph Ruff, Adam Michael Burnett, David Lee Ruff, Robert Karl Burnett, Steven Joseph Ruff Jr., and Amber Ruff Ishmeal, 16 great grandchildren Erik, Faith, Korben, Cole, and Savannah Burnett, Nathan, Nolan, and Adalyn Keleher, Ryder, Tucker, Cheyanne, Issabella, and Makenna Ruff, and Carter and Tripp Ishmeal, one great-great-grandchild Olivia Piper Burnett, brother Clem J. Grant, and sister Pamela (Bruce) Marie Grant Vangondon.

She was preceded in death by her husband Remigius on November 11th, 2004, daughter Debra Jean Burnett, three brothers Clement “Merlin” Grant, Patrick Donald Grant, and Robert Orland Grant, grandparents Patrick and Anna (McDermott) Grant and John B. and Anna (Peters) Pitz.

She wants to give thanks to Jeffrey for all he did for her, especially taking her out to eat and doctor’s appointments, and for all of his patience. She sends her love to her grandchildren for all being there for her.

Love to all.