LAVETTA MAE (YOUNGTHUNDER) CLOUD

LAVETTA MAE (YOUNGTHUNDER) CLOUD

     LaVetta Mae (Youngthunder) Cloud, 84, of Black River Falls, WI, passed peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones.

     LaVetta was born to Eli and Helen (Wakaun) Youngthunder June 24, 1941, in Black River Falls, where she grew up with her many siblings. LaVetta attended and later graduated from Black River Falls High School.

     While in Chicago, Lavetta met Gerald Cloud, and the two later married in Ashland, WI, March 15, 1975. Together, they created many happy memories over a long and joyous marriage. 

     LaVetta loved both spending time with and caring for the family she and Gerald created. Her generosity extended beyond her family, as LaVetta was known to open her home to anyone in need of a place to stay, a warm meal or even just a friend. She was a wonderful cook, preparing delicious meals for her friends and family, a skill she honed over many years working as a cook. LaVetta had so much love to give that she didn’t limit it to just her friends and family; family remembers her caring for many critters (cats, dogs and even goldfish) as well as her houseplants. An avid reader, she could most often be found with a book in hand. 

     LaVetta leaves behind her siblings, George, Roger, Paul, Louisa, Martha, Anita, Ralph, Bill and Barb; her children, Cynthia (Gus Downey) Cloud, Gerald Cloud Jr., Elizabeth Cloud, Debra Cloud, Mitch (Lee) Crowe Sr., Linda (Frank) Redbird and Raymond Cloud; her special grandson, John Cloud, as well as numerous other grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; her special friend, Jim; and other friends and acquaintances. 

     She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gerald Cloud; her mom and dad; her brothers, Charles, Ed, John, George and Claude; her sisters, Amelia and Ruthann; and her son, Lenny Cloud, and daughter Geraldine Cloud.

     A visitation was held from 4 until 6 p.m. Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at the Buswell Funeral Home. A funeral service was held Wednesday, Aug. 13, at the Cloud residence (N7694 Mitchell Redcloud Road, Black River Falls, WI 54615) from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. Burial followed immediately after at the Decorah Cemetery.