 LaVena grew up on their family farm in rural Fredonia. In 1949, LaVena married her husband, Arno, or Arn, Kruger of Fredonia, North Dakota. They made their first home in Combe, North Dakota, where LaVena was a housewife and worked various part-time jobs. While in Combe, LaVena gave birth to her two sons, Bruce and then later, Carrie.