Carole Gies

Funeral services for Carole Gies were held on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. John Lutheran Church in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Marcus Ring officiating.

Music was provided by the congregation, accompanied by Melanie Hannahs, organist. Casket bearers were Aaron Lien, Kariann Lien, Dustin Stukel, Emily Stukel, Lindsay (Jess) Huser, Jordan (Cassie) Gies, and Lexy (Zach) Dickerson. Honorary casket bearers were Carol’s friends and family. Burial was in the Herrick City Cemetery in Herrick, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Carole Ann (Jons) Gies was born February 18, 1939, to Ed and Sarah Jons of Bonesteel, SD.

Carole attended school at Bonesteel and went on to graduate high school in Bonesteel, SD, in 1957. While in high school, Carole met Marvin Gies, and after he returned from serving his country, they were united in marriage on October 24, 1958. To this union were born Laurie, Lisa, and Dan.

Right after Carole graduated from high school, she went on to teach at a country school in Martin, SD, where she lived right in the school house in the middle of nowhere. They moved to Sand Springs, OK, where they lived for four years, and then moved back to South Dakota and gradually made their home in Gregory.

Carole was a stay-at-home mother while their children were little. After their children were older, she opened up their home to babysit other kids. Carole went on to have a carpet cleaning business with her very good friend Sheila Ehnes. For a short time, Carole worked at the Family Shoe Store in Gregory and also developed a close friendship with the owner, Rose Lenz. Carole also worked at the Rosebud Nursing Home as an activity coordinator with the residents, where her love of helping others shone through.

Carole was active in her church, was a Sunday school teacher, and later became a member of the church choir with her love of singing church hymns. Carole looked forward every year growing her massive garden of vegetables and flowers. She enjoyed having coffee with the neighborhood ladies, taking long walks and bicycle rides with her husband, and conversing with the community.

Carole, along with her husband Marvin, spent a year working full time helping build the St. John Lutheran Church.

At a young age, Carole was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and that disease robbed her of being the wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother that she deserved to be.

After a long battle with Alzheimer’s, Carole passed away on Christmas Day at the Avera Rosebud Country Care Center in Gregory, SD, on December 25, 2022, at the age of 83 years.

Carole is survived by her children Laurie (Don) Stukel, Lisa Lien, Dan (Kristy) Gies; seven grandchildren and five greatgrandchildren; four sisters; one brother; two sisters-in-law; and two brothers-in-law.

Carole was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Sarah Jons, her husband, Marvin, and her son-in-law Gregg Lien.