Avis Rose Block was born October 12, 1914, in rural Swift County to DCarr and Rosebud (Morris) LaGrange. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Avis grew up on her parents' farm west of Appleton. She attended country school for six years, before going to school in town. She graduated from Appleton High School in 1932, and continued her education by taking many evening and community education classes.On November 24, 1936, Avis married Alfred Block in Watertown, SD. They moved to San Leandro, CA and resided in that area for eleven years. To their marriage two daughters were born. Alfred, Avis, and their daughters moved back to Appleton in 1947. She stayed at home to raise their daughters until the fall of 1963, when she went back to work as a clerk of J C Penneys and then, C. J. Sommers Variety Store in Appleton. She worked as a receptionist and bookkeeper for People's Natural Gas Company and Appleton Farm Chemicals until her retirement in 1989.Avis was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday and Wednesday School, was a member of and held offices in Guild, served on the Altar Guild, and counted offerings for many years. She enjoyed her family, her church, friends, traveling, reading, sewing, needlework, playing cards, and dining out.Avis died on Wednesday afternoon, October 19th, at Appleton Area Health Services. She had attained 97 years, and 7 days of age.She is survived by two daughters: Carolyn (Robert) Anderson of Verona, WI, and Diane (Daniel) Knutson of Sauk Centre; six grandchildren: Lisa (William) Roth, Michael (Stacey) Anderson, Kristin (Scott) Peterson, Laurie Anderson, Jeff Knutson, and Jon Knutson; 15 great-grandchildren; sister, Marjorie Schmidt, of Henning; brother, Derall (Lois) LaGrange of Morris; nieces, nephews, and other relatives.She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Alfred, in 1977; great-grandchild, Elizabeth Roth; three sisters: Emily Joy Lubenow, Grace LaGrange, and Lorraine LaGrange; and two brothers: Harvey LaGrange and Myron LaGrange.
