June 13, 1934 – December 30, 2025
Lavonne “Bonnie” Riggert, age 91, of Algona, passed away on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at the Emmetsburg Care Center in Emmetsburg. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Algona. Burial will follow at River View Cemetery in Algona. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service at the church.
Lavonne Eloise Miller Riggert was born on June 13, 1934, in Rodman, Iowa, to Earnest Dale Miller and Helen Eloise (Farmer) Miller. She was baptized and confirmed on March 30, 1947, at Rodman Presbyterian Church. Bonnie graduated from Rodman High School in May of 1951. She enjoyed staying connected with her classmates and took great pleasure in helping plan class reunions, often held at Rodman Park.
Lavonne was united in marriage to Edmund (Bill) Otto on September 28, 1952, at Rodman Presbyterian Church. Three children were born to this union: Steven William, Judy Kay, and Dean LeRoy. On April 17, 1953, she was confirmed into the Lutheran faith at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aurelia. This marriage later ended in divorce. She later married Alvin F. Riggert on February 14, 1983, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Renwick. The couple lived in the Lotts Creek area until 1995, when they moved to Algona, where they made their home together.
Bonnie began selling Tupperware in 1981 and continued even after becoming disabled, operating from her home. She greatly enjoyed the work and treasured the friendships she formed within the Tupperware family. Bonnie and Alvin loved traveling on bus trips until her health no longer allowed it. They attended girls’ basketball tournaments for several years and faithfully supported their grandchildren by attending as many activities and events as possible.
Bonnie was well known for her chocolate chip cookies, which she lovingly shared with friends and neighbors. Baking brought her great joy, especially making Christmas treat plates to give away. Her cheese balls were also frequently requested and fondly remembered. A naturally busy and creative person, Bonnie enjoyed staying active until health challenges slowed her down. She took up embroidery and volunteered with the TLC Quilters at Trinity Lutheran Church, helping make quilt blocks for children’s quilts. She also lovingly made quilts for her own family.
She is survived by her devoted and caring husband, Alvin Riggert; her three children, Steven Otto and his wife Regina, Judy Oberhelman and her husband Ron, and Dean Otto and his significant other Julie Edwards; five grandchildren, Sam Otto (and his wife Jennifer), Bill Otto (and his wife Nicki), Garrett Oberhelman, Brent Oberhelman, and Dacia Oberhelman (and her husband Josh Tangen); great-grandchildren, Austin Otto (and his wife Abigayle), Connor Boehler (and his wife Kaylee), Logan Otto, Daxtyn Oberhelman, Taeleigh Oberhelman, Makayla Otto, Chancellor Otto, and one great-grandchild on the way; two great-great-grandsons Jack and Leo Otto. She is also survived by her sisters, Anna Belle Hinz, Ruth Miller, and Mary Peterson, as well as her sister-in-law, Linda Miller.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, John and Annie Farmer and Ed and Evalene Miller; her parents, Dale and Helen Miller; her sister, Jenese Truelsen; her brothers, Lloyd Miller (and his wife Lavonne), John Miller (and his wife Carol), and James Miller; and her brothers-in-law, Pete Peterson, J.D. Hinz, and Marlan Truelsen.
Memorials may be directed to St. Croix Hospice in Honor of Bonnie.
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