Lavonne Richards

Lavonne Elizabeth (Pourier) Richards, aka "Honey Girl" was born on March 4, 1930 in Porcupine, South Dakota. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on November 20, 2022 at her home in Umatilla, Oregon at the age of 92 years. Lavonne was the 4th oldest of 12 children, born to Hobert and Isabelle Pourier. She attended Holy Rosary Catholic boarding school throughout her childhood and remained a devout catholic her entire life. Upon her high school graduation, she attended nursing school in Kansas City, with the dream of becoming a registered nurse. Her strong bond with her family, led her back home to her family before she could complete school, due to her Mother’s battle with cancer. While she was home caring for her Mother and younger siblings, she met Leonard Richards in 1948. They married on June 25, 1949 and began a love story that was magical to watch. The couple welcomed the first of their 12 children in April of 1950. They lived with their growing family in Igloo, SD, Sydney, NE and Rapid City, SD before moving to Hermiston, Oregon in 1968 and settled in Umatilla, Oregon in 1976 where she has lived since. Leonard worked at the Umatilla Army Depot and after they welcomed their 12th child in March of 1969, Lavonne went to work for Good Shepherd Hospital as a CNA. She was dedicated and had great compassion for others, right up to her retirement in 1993. After retirement, Lavonne worked with in home health care for many years.

Lavonne’s sole joy and interest throughout her life was always her family. She could be found at any event involving her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, cheering them on from the stands. She was an extremely gifted artist and you can find a water color painting hanging in the homes of all of her family. She was an avid reader and quite the competitor at the family game of rummy. Lavonne would sit at a table until her rear end went numb putting together 1,000 pieces jigsaw puzzles. She had a keen green thumb and grew the most beautiful roses.

She is survived by her children: Donna Richards, Jackie (Jim) Gohring, Karen McGowan, Diane (Terry) Ferguson, Rick Richards, Kelly (Shelly) Richards, Mark (Deborah) Richards, Arthur Richards, Anthony Richards and Russell Richards; sisters: Deanna & Phyllis; brothers: Duane & Delbert; along with several dear family members in Oregon, Washington, Nebraska, Montana & South Dakota; last, but not least, 20 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren who will dearly miss the best grandma in the whole world!

Lavonne was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Leonard; her parents; a son: Theodore; a daughter: Connie; grandsons: Coleby, Tyron and Jenson; brothers: Lester, Dennis, Pat, Cecil and Curtis; sisters: Carol and Edna.   

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held on Friday, November 25, 2022 at 5:0 P.M. at Burns Mortuary Chapel, Hermiston, Oregon.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. at St Andrews Catholic Church, Mission, Oregon.

Burial will follow at 3:00 P.M. at the Hermiston Cemetery, Hermiston, Oregon.

Please share memories of Lavonne with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, Oregon is in care of arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lavonne Richards, please visit our floral store.