Eleanor Vakiner

Funeral services for Eleanor Virginia Vakiner were held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 24, 2025, at Prairie View Gospel Barn with Pastor Kenley Udd officiating. Music was provided by Randy Donavon and Rod Dobesh. Amy Meinen and Tracy Dehning were flower attendants, and Becky Zimmerman and Jean Duerfeldt were in charge of registration. Casket bearers were Rod Dobesh, Doug Lindquist, Charlie Wolf, Dwight Ellwanger, Keith Ellwanger, and Ivan Nelson. All the staff at Community Memorial Hospital in Burke were honorary casket bearers.

Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Interment was at the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory, SD.

Eleanor (Beavers) Vakiner was born November 17, 1927, the eighth in a family of twelve children, to Charles and Filena (Harrison) Beavers. All of the children were delivered by their dad Charles. Eleanor attended various grade schools in Tripp County, graduating the eighth grade in 1941.

In 1942, Eleanor met the love of her life, her cowboy Richard Vakiner, at a dance in Paxton, SD. They dated on and off for five years.

In 1944 Eleanor spent the summer working at the Curry Hotel in Yankton until is was sold. From 1945 to 1948 she took loving care of her nieces and nephews for her brothers and sisters.

On November 17, 1948, on her 21st birthday, Eleanor was united in marriage to Richard Vakiner at the courthouse in Burke, SD. Their first five years of marriage were spent on the Vakiner homestead, 14 miles south and 1¼ miles west of Gregory. In 1953 they put together their own ranch 3½ miles northwest of the original homestead. Working side by side, they raised cattle, hogs, horses, chickens, and their three children— Richard Curtis, August Lyle, and Alice Elaine. They lived on the ranch for 36 years before moving to Gregory in June of 1989.

After 59 years, 6 months, and 2 days of marriage, Eleanor lost Rich, and in 2010 her son Lyle passed away. Eleanor remained in her home and later moved in with her daughter and family until her health required her to be hospitalized on December 27, 2024.

Eleanor passed away on January 15, 2025, at Burke Memorial Hospital at the age of 97.

She was preceded in death by her husband Richard; son Lyle; grandchildren James Lyle Dobson, Cody Vosika, and Kris Miner; great-great grandson Theo Miner; parents Charles and Filena Beavers; ten brothers and sisters; and in-laws august and Minnie Vakiner.

She is survived by her son Curtis (Joyce) Vakiner and daughter Alice (Dennis ) Miner of Gregory, SD, six grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, 40 great-great grandchildren, and sister Belva Serr.