LaVina Perman, 91, of Selby passed away Monday, April 12, 2021, at the Walworth County Care Center in Selby. Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge is in charge of arrangements.

LaVina Reuer was born August 24, 1929, to George and Margaret (Lutz) Reuer. She was baptized and confirmed at the Zion Lutheran Church, Lowry, South Dakota.

LaVina attended grade school at Sunnyside Country School. She attended high school at Hoven, South Dakota.

LaVina had her eye on Cliff Perman, who lived on a farm near her family farm. When Cliff returned from service, they started dating and were soon engaged. LaVina often told the story about laying her diamond on the hip of the cow while milking. Looking back, she felt fortunate that the ring was never lost.

LaVina and Cliff were married at Zion Lutheran Church at Lowry on May 7, 1948. Four children were born to this union: Mike, Brenda, Rhonda and Penni.

LaVina was appointed post master of the U.S. Post Office, Lowry, on August 24, 1950 at the age of 21, being the youngest post master in the U.S. at that time. She served as post master of the Lowry Post Office from 1950-1973. During the first three years in Lowry, LaVina and Clifford and their young family lived in the same building as the post office. In 1974 she was transferred to the Tolstoy Post Office, Tolstoy, South Dakota, where she served three years. In 1977 LaVina transferred to Java Post Office, Java, South Dakota, serving there until retiring in 1984, having completed 34 years of postal service.

Cliff and LaVina were members of the Selby Weekend Loafers camping group. They both enjoyed walleye fishing from their boat on Lake Oahe. In 1985 Cliff and LaVina traveled to Pharr, Texas, for the winter months. Pharr soon became their permanent home for several years.

After Cliff's passing in 2004, LaVina returned to Selby and had a new home built on Marin Drive. She continued traveling to Pharr, spending the winter months there for several more years.

LaVina was a dedicated member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Selby, serving on several committees including choir on Sundays. She was a member of the Royal Neighbors and Red Hatters. LaVina enjoyed quilting and made sure each of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren received a quilt, or two or three.

She enjoyed gardening and had a beautiful yard and garden. LaVina looked forward to coffee time at the Berens Café with friends. She will be especially remembered by her family for her delicious chicken and dumplings, which she served at 30-plus years of family reunions.

Grateful for having shared her life are her son, Mike (Kim), Lewiston, Idaho; three daughters: Brenda (Rick) Oxner, Black Hawk, South Dakota, Rhonda (John) Kosiak, Shoreview, Minnesota, Penni (Allan) Deutsch, Nevada, Texas; ten grandchildren; 12 great- grandchildren; and one sister, Elsie Reub, Mobridge, South Dakota.

LaVina was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford, on January 29, 2004; her father, George, on September 9, 1944; her mother, Margaret, on February 14, 1998; three brothers: Elmer, Erwin and Reuben Reuer; and one great-grandson, Amos Bennett.