Funeral services for Winifred Kayl were held on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gregory, SD, with Father Jonathan Dillon celebrant.
Music was provided by St. Joseph Catholic choir, and Geoff Smith, accompanied by Mary Beth Gergen, pianist, cantor was Patty Willuweit, lector was Bev Rubel, first reading, Christy Young Tiangco, altar servers were Averie Stukel, and Ian Opp. Karen Kayl, and Heather Christensen were in charge of registration, gift bearers were Jonah Christensen, and Kaylyn Christensen. Casket bearers were Allan (AJ), Michael Kayl, Clifford Kayl, Tony Kayl, Jordan Kayl, Jonah Christensen, Tyler Christensen, and Dakota Kayl. Honorary casket bearers were Matt Kayl, Cindy Kayl, Dustin Christensen, Jeremy Pesek, Cord Hahne, Dennis Christensen, Gerald and Diane Smith, Mike Shipley, and all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Interment was in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Gregory, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Winifred Mavee Klinefelter was born on December 27, 1929, in Gregory, SD, to LeRoy Otto and Hazel Pearl (Munger) Klinefelter. She was the youngest of six children, one brother Leo, and five sisters, Imogene Hazel Lubbers, Wilma Pauline Bonaventura, Beola Klinefelter, Geraldine Lorraine Butterfield, and Leota Ann Womeldorf. Her father LeRoy, a mortician in Gregory, died at the age of 49 when she was nine years old. Her mother later married Ira Anderson and he was like a dad to all the children. They moved to Yankton in 1945 for Ira to work when Winnie was a freshman in high school. While living in Yankton, Winifred met Edie Shipley and were best friends for life.
She attended Gregory High School and graduated in 1948. In eighth grade, she met Kenneth Joseph Kayl. After dating each other from 1944-1950, they were married on October 10, 1950. From this marriage, she had an adventure of a lifetime by being a mother to their eight children, Kathy, Ken David, Matt, Roy, Allan, Chris, Rose, and Pat, and working on the farm. Kenneth and Winifred started their married life living south of Gregory, then moved to Lucas, and then four miles north of Gregory. They were engaged in farming, raising cattle and hogs, and operating a dairy operation most of their lives.
Winifred was a true farm wife and worked hard alongside her husband. She also worked at the Burke Hospital for three years. She also enjoyed selling Avon to her neighbors.
The passed away at the Avera Country Care Center on December 11, 2023, just 16 days short of her 94th birthday. She was dedicated to her Catholic faith, and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She taught first and third grade Catechism for many years. Winifred was an active and lifetime member of American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 6 president three times, and a member of VFW Auxiliary. Many years she collected Memorial Day posters from the Gregory school and helped judge them.
Throughout her life, she enjoyed playing cards with friends and family, and riding the family 4-wheeler. She sewed her children’s clothes and enjoyed crocheting, embroidery, and search puzzles.
She is survived by her children Katherine Dian (Dennis) Christensen from Spearfish, SD, Kenneth David (Re) Kayl from Black Hawk, SD, Matthew Paul (Cindy) Kayl from San Lorenzo, CA, Allan Gerard Kayl from Dallas, SD, Christine Ann (Karl) Christensen from Lincoln, NE, Rosemarie Lynn (Mark) Malatesta from Herndon, VA and Patrick James Kayl (Melanie) from Gregory, SD; many grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, 17 great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth of 70 years until his death in 2020, their son Francis Roy, parents LeRoy and Hazel Klinefelter, brother Leo, sisters Imogene, Wilma, Beola, Geraldine, and Leota; her daughter-in-law Judy Kayl, grandsons, Cord Hahn and Jeremy Pesek, and great-grandson Samuel James Pesek.
