“Through the Years with Mrs. L”
Words and music by Marianne Fridell
with Mrs. Poper’s 4th Grade Class
©2026 Marianne Fridell
My mother taught me how to cook and bake,
Chores I didn’t really appreciate.
Until I lived out on my own,
Her lessons helped me make a home.
And she taught me-
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Treat people the way you want to be treated.
That’s the Golden Rule. That’s the Golden Rule
Treat people with Kindness and respect.
And Treat yourself with kindness too.
Dad taught me to save for a rainy day.
He said, “It’s just common sense”.
So brave he taught me to drive a stick shift!
He gave me confidence.
And he showed me—
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There’s no better place
To be raised than out on a farm.
We played outdoors and had our chores
All part of the charm.
And I learned—
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We had a horse and Dixie was her name.
I could always catch her to ride across the lane
Typical kid things running up and down hillsides,
And I still love-being outside.
And I know—
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Some things I know to be true,
Your parents’ words will stick with you
And the person who’s sitting by your side,
Could be your friend for the rest of your life.
And we know—
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LaVonne LaFollette’s life story is filled with appreciation, family, and simple joys. She grew up in eastern South Dakota on a farm with two brothers and a sister. Her childhood was happy and active, spent mostly outdoors. LaVonne rode bikes, sledded down steep hills, built snow forts, and helped with chores, including caring for animals. She loved riding her horse, Dixie, who always seemed ready for an adventure. There were many pets over the years, but one special dog, Sam the yellow lab, still holds a special place in her heart. LaVonne believes pets truly become part of the family.
Life on the farm wasn’t always easy, but LaVonne always had food on the table and a roof over her head. Her family wasn’t rich, but they worked hard and got by. As she grew older, she realized how much her parents sacrificed. She learned the value of hard work from her first job cleaning motel rooms. Her mother taught her how to cook and bake, skills LaVonne didn’t fully appreciate until she was on her own. Her father taught her to save money, drive a stick shift, and believe in the importance of education, saying, “Education is something no one can take away from you.”
Education became an important part of LaVonne’s life. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from USD Springfield and later a master’s degree from Southwestern Minnesota in Marshall. One of LaVonne’s favorite years was 1971, when she married her best friend, Craig. They have now been married for 54 years. Craig is her rock, her partner, and the greatest gift in her life. One of her favorite surprises was a diamond ring Craig gave her—she says her eyes always admire it when she wears it.
LaVonne and Craig have two children: their son Michael, who works for SkyWest Airlines, and their daughter Jennifer, a registered nurse. Family memories are LaVonne’s favorite—weddings, the birth of her children, holidays, Christmases, and time spent together. After retiring, LaVonne and Craig moved to Custer, where they enjoy the beauty of the Black Hills.
LaVonne’s wisdom is simple and meaningful: be kind, treat others with respect, stay healthy, believe in yourself, and stay connected to family. Her life reminds us to appreciate where we come from and the people who walk beside us.