LaVaun M. "Bonnie" Morris

LaVaun “Bonnie” M. (Baustian) Morris, age 100, of Lake Crystal, died Saturday, October 31, 2020 at Crystal Seasons Assisted Living in Lake Crystal.

Funeral Service 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 6, 2020 at Northview – North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato. Visitation one hour before service on Friday. Interment in Bricelyn Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Youth for Christ, Albert Lea, MN.

LaVaun was born May 18, 1920 at Rock Rapids, IA in Lyon County to parents Fred William and Olive (Olson) Baustian of Lake Crystal. The family had moved from Iowa in March of 1920 to a farm south of Lake Crystal, her mother returning to Iowa for her birth.

LaVaun attended 4-Corners School thru eighth grade and then graduated from Lake Crystal High School in 1937 and from Mankato Beauty School in 1938. She was employed in beauty salons in Lake Crystal, Amboy, River Falls, WI, Coeur D’Alene, ID, and owned a beauty shop in Bricelyn, MN. She was united in marriage to Ellis T. Morris on November 21, 1940 at the Presbyterian Manse in Lake Crystal. To this union two sons were born. They lived in New Prague, MN, River Falls, WI, and Idaho before moving to Bricelyn in 1947 when they purchased the Bricelyn Sentinel newspaper which they operated as a family business. Due to Ellis’ illness they sold the newspaper in October of 1981. LaVaun continued to work at the Bricelyn office of the Courier-Sentinel until 1987.

LaVaun was active in church, school, and community affairs. She served as Cub Scout Den Mother. As a member of the First Baptist Church of Bricelyn, she served as Sunday School Superintendent and teacher, church organist, and a member of the Ladies Aid. She joined the Bricelyn Lutheran Church in 1982 and was a member of the Women’s Society and circle, adult Sunday school class. She was an active member of the Bricelyn Community Club and served as president and secretary. She was a member and also served as leader of TOPS 736. A member of the Lee Post 165 Auxiliary and served as chaplain for many years. A booster for her city, she organized and promoted the variety program for Bricelyn Independence Day celebrations and was chairwoman of the show from its beginning in 1975 until 1988. LaVaun sold her home in Bricelyn and moved to Denver, CO in 1997, where she lived until 2006 when she moved to Lake Crystal. While living in Colorado she was employed as a concierge at Hampton East III Apartments. She was active in Christ Community Church and its organizations.

LaVaun is survived by her two sons, Ronald (Claudia) Morris of Pahrump, NV; Richard (Leslie) Morris of Redwood Falls; four grandchildren, Bradley Morris, Jeffrey Morris, Joanie Davis, and Tyler Myrom; nine great-grandchildren, Justin, Jacob, Kaitlyn, Austin, Kayla, Oliver, Christopher, Alex, and Jack; four great-great-grandchildren, Colby, Reagan, Ezra, and Dalton; special nieces, Marcelyn, Margaret, Sharon, Robin, Karen, and Marliee; special nephews, Robin and Tim; and many extended family.

LaVaun was preceded in death by her parents; husband on November 8, 1982; brother, Floyd “Casey”; two sisters, Letha and Lois; and extended family.