Jean Schenefeld

Funeral services for Olive Jean Schenefeld were held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the St. John Lutheran Church in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Marcus Ring officiating. Music was provided by Melanie Hannahs, organist. Kathy Svoboda and Kathy Assman were in charge of registration, and flower attendants were Emily Paris and Jennifer Palsma. Casket bearers were Chris Schenefeld, Burner Schenefeld Oakley Schenefeld, Jacob Fiebelkorn, Daniel Fiebelkorn, Michael Fiebelkorn, Mitchell Hyde, and William Hamilton. Honorary casket bearers were the residents and staff at Silver Threads. Interment was in the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Olive Jean (Klinger) Schenefeld was born in Gregory County on October 13, 1928, to Richard and Ora (Sufficool) Klinger, along with her identical twin Alice. Jean and Alice were so identical they actually played practical jokes on their teachers by swapping places in class. Their nicknames in school were “Klink” and “Klank” Klinger. They graduated from Burke High School in 1946.

Jean met Walter Schenefeld while she was working at the old Buche store and he was trucking for Wilson Truck Line. Jean could not read Walt’s invoices so she confronted him about it. He did not like that. Despite their rocky start, they were married on June 12, 1950. Walt and Jean began farming in 1958, and Jean was a typical farm-wife, working in the field, milking cows, and running parts and supplies for the farm.

Jean enjoyed raising flowers and a garden. She was also a seamstress, sewing clothing, quilts, teddy bears, etc. During the pandemic, well into her 90’s, she sewed literally hundreds of masks and donated them to the nursing home, family, and friends. Even days before she passed, you could find her sitting at her sewing machine, still sewing teddy bears. Jean really enjoyed kids and enjoyed babysitting her grandkids. She was always thinking of others. Her last words were (so typical of Jean), “I would hate to leave this earth if my work is not done.” She was a great example of the old saying “a mother’s work is never done.” Jean had a very strong faith in God and actively lived out her faith.

Jean passed away on November 30, 2024, at Avera Gregory Healthcare Center at the age of 96 years.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; five siblings; her husband Walt; one son; three grandchildren; and one son-in-law.

Jean is survived by one sibling Dorothy Stroh; one son Dennis and his wife Peg Schenefeld; three daughters: Cheryl Hamilton, Barb (Mark) Fiebelkom, and Julie (Keith) Redwing; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and extended family and friends.