Rapid City – Alvina E. Lawrence, 91, died Thursday, November 10, 2022 at her residence.

Visitation will be from 4:00 to 5:00 pm Sunday, November 13 at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church with Recital of Rosary at 5:00 pm.

Funeral Mass will be 10:00 am Monday, November 14 at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church with burial to follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Alvina "Venie" Elizabeth (Gunville) Lawrence was born along the Moreau River on August 5 ^th , 1931 near White Horse, South Dakota and made her journey to heaven surrounded by her family, on Thursday, November 10 ^th , 2022 at her home in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Alvina was born during the Great Depression and was raised in a log cabin built by hand, by her father, Joe Gunville.  The Gunville log cabin was part of the small White Horse community, called "The Village" along the Moreau River.  Her parents Joe & Evelyn Gunville, her grandparents, Alec & Elizabeth Gunville, Buck & Andel Lawrence, and Uncle Robert & Aunt Delphine Lawrence all built their cabins together and called it the "Village".  Alvina began her school years attending school at the Old Cheyenne Agency, and then attended St. Joseph's Boarding School in Chamberlain.  Upon graduation from high school, Alvina entertained the thought of becoming a nun however, God had other plans for her.  She met Arthur Lawrence and they were married in February 1950, from this union ten children were born. They made their home in Igloo, Eagle Butte, and moved to Rapid City South Dakota in 1966.  After twenty-five years of marriage, they went their separate ways, at which time Alvina continued raising the children. She worked several jobs and attended the National College of Business in Rapid City and earned her Associates Degree. She began her professional career at the Sioux San hospital and worked there up until she retired in 1996.

Alvina was a devoted Catholic and shared your strong faith in God with her family and friends. She recited the holy rosary every morning and every night and several times throughout the day as family and friends needed.  Alvina always made sure her children and grandchildren were showered with love and protected in prayers at all times. She enjoyed cooking and crafts, and especially loved making her holiday goody platters and her masterpiece snowmen at Christmas time.  Alvina absolutely loved flowers and plants and playing her organ, which she taught herself how to play.

She was the kindest person you will ever meet; her hospitality was, bar none.  Her home was open to countless family and friends over the years. She made her home a place where everyone was welcome and you never left hungry.  Alvina appreciated everything she had and seen value in everything and everyone. Her example of unconditional love set her apart and she will be missed beyond words.

Alvina is survived by her eight of her children:  Sons; Ross Lawrence, White Horse, SD; Frank (Jamie) Lawrence, Chamberlain; Gerald "Chic" Lawrence, Rapid City; Tom (Lori) Lawrence, Rapid City; Wade (DeeAnn) Lawrence, Eagle Butte; Daughters; Lisa Rosenau, Rapid City; Julie (Glen) Huggins, Sioux Falls; Darla (Cliff) Zechiel, Rapid City, 42 grandchildren, 62 great-grandchildren, 9 great-great-grandchildren, close cousin Clarice Bender, special friends Liz & Steve McCarthy, & numerous extended family.

Alvina is preceded in death by her Parents, Joe & Evelyn Gunville; and her Grandparents, Alec & Elizabeth Gunville & Buck & Andel Lawrence.  Her daughters, Candace Bauman & Rhonda Weaver; Sister, Della (Monte) Birdsall, Brothers, Elmer Gunville, Jerome Gunville, Harlan Gunville, & Milbert Gunville, Daughter-in-law, Debbe Lawrence; Son-in-laws, Al Weaver & Pete Doucette, Aunts, Juanita Rifle, May LeBeau & Wanda Warren, Uncles Robert & Clarence Lawrence, Niece, Guyla Gunville, & Nephew, Romey Gunville.

In Loving Memory

Alvina "Venie" Elizabeth (Gunville) Lawrence

BORN

Wednesday, August 5, 1931 in White Horse, South Dakota

ENTERED THE SPIRIT WORLD

Thursday, November 10, 2022 in Rapid City, South Dakota
Age: 91 years, 3 months, and 5 days

VISITATION AND ROSARY

Sunday, November 13, 2022 from 4:00 to 5:00 pm

St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Rapid City, South Dakota

Rosary at 5:00 pm led by Nicholas Black Elk Group

CHRISTIAN FUNERAL MASS

Monday, November 14, 2022 – 10:00 am

St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Rapid City, South Dakota

CELEBRANT: Rev. Brian Christensen & Rev. Ed Witt

MUSIC: Tony Ramos

ACTIVE CASKETBEARERS

Ray Bauman       Jason Lawrence       Cody Lawrence

Brendan Walking Elk       Dakota Lawrence       Joe Lawrence

John Lawrence       Lindee Lawrence       James Hansen

Taner Kiewel       Zechariah Brown

HONORARY CASKETBEARERS

Grandchildren: Dawn, Paul, Kelly, Raymond, Sandy, Michael, Michelle, Jason, Kristie, Cody, Misty, Amy, Beth, Caitlyn, MacKenzie, Shari, Dakota, Stella, Sheyenne, Erin, Joseph, Thomas Jr., John, Luke, Mary, Matthew, Jessica, Jenny, Lindee, Morgan, Kaydee, Alicia, Jennifer, James, Matie, Timi, Taner, Tatiana, Theryn, Blake, Tucker, Zechariah. Great Grandchildren: Kelly, Paul, DejaRay, Riley, Remey, Brendan, Bryce, Jimmi, JC, Demi, Ashley, Brandon, Alexis, Carly, Natalie, Braydon, Kylie, Eizley, Jayce, Decklyn, Roman, Keela, Sage, TC, David, Cruise, Shia, Slash, Rhett, Eulayla, Jetta, Denver, Malachi, Isaiah, Delilah, Clara, Cordelia, River, Julie, Penelope, Armstrong, Renlee, Ryan, Joseph, Jeb, Turner, Maya, Noah, Zeke, Jaxon, Kolton, Karson, Kaedyn, Trenton, Hudson, Max, Jayce, Reese, Kensington, Finnegan, Maeve. Great-Great Grandchildren: Bentley, Avery, Ross, Laikyn, Lexyn, SheaBlu', Shiloh, Jeane, Kashton. Nieces & Nephews: Latonne Gunville, JoLavae Gunville, Debbie Hartman, Jana Bultsma, & Marjorie Bird Necklace, Billy Gunville, EJ Gunville, Dustin Gunville, Jerry Gunville, Jeff Birdsall, Jim Birdsall, Harlan Gunville, Glen Gunville, & Goldyn Gunville

BURIAL AND GRAVESIDE SERVICE

Monday, November  14, 2022 – 11:30 am

Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Rapid City, South Dakota

MEAL AND FELLOWSHIP

Monday, November 14, 2022 – 12:30 pm noon

Rushmore Plaza Holiday Inn

505 North 5 ^th Street, Rapid City, South Dakota

WHEN TOMORROW STARTS WITHOUT ME

When tomorrow starts without me and I'm not here to see

If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me.

I wish you wouldn't cry the way you did today

While thinking of the many things we did not get to say.

I know how much you love me as much as I love you

Each time that you think of me I know you will miss me too.

When tomorrow starts with out me please try to understand

Then an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand.

The angel said my place was ready in heaven far above

And that I would have to leave behind all those I dearly love.

But when I walked through Heaven's Gates I felt so much at home

When GOD looked down and smiled at me from his golden throne.

He said This is Eternity and all I promised you

Today for life on earth is done but here it starts a new.

I promise no tomorrow for today will always last

And since each day's the exact same way there is no longing for the past.

So when tomorrow starts without me

Do not think we're apart for every time you think of me

Remember, I'm right here in your heart.

Author:   David M. Romano