Domina Cordell

Domina “Mena” Cordell, age 59, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at the Milbank Hospital.  Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at Immaculate Conception Church in Watertown.  Father Michael Wensing as the celebrant.  Music will be provided by Danielle Holmquist-Holiday.  This service will be live streamed via our website.

Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Tuesday, September12, 2023, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. and prior to services at the church on Wednesday.  A rosary service will be held on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Watertown.  Honorary pallbearers will be Dana DeVille, Rodney Gnat, and Linus Cordell. Active pallbearers will be Mike Goodell, Travis Maag, Tim Dagel, Joe Cordell, Jeff Gnat, and Joel Gnat.

Domina was born on August 4, 1964, in Pagadian City, Philippines, to Romeo Sr. and Florentina (Pasok) Diaz.  She grew up and attended school, graduating high school in the Philippines.  While growing up in the Philippines, Domina and her mom raised her young niece, Chanda, which made those two have a very close relationship.  In March of 2001, Domina moved to the United States of America.

On May 26, 2001, Domina married Venard Cordell in Watertown, SD.  The couple resided on a farm in rural Watertown, SD.  She worked at the turkey plant in Watertown, SD, for a year before working as a cook at the Dakota Sioux Casino for sixteen years.  On her days off from work, she could be seen with her close friends doing manicures or cutting hair.  Cooking was a huge talent of Domina’s and was probably her most favorite thing to do.  There were times when the whole stovetop and kitchen counters would be full of Philippine cuisine with white rice, sweet rice, panset, and a various combination of seafood and meat.  Her most famous dish was Philippine adobo dish.  She loved her fruits and vegetables where she was adamant on the important nutrients and vitamins they provided.  There would usually be a chuckle when she would say something along the lines of “come on…it’s good for you…it’s not gonna kill you,” as she often shared with her husband and son at the dinner table while she peeled mangos and other fruits.  Domina enjoyed gardening, watering all of her flowers around the house, mowing the lawn, and cleaning the house. 

Domina is survived by her husband, Venard, of Watertown; one son Josh Cordell, of Watertown; her siblings Sarah Bauya, Edna Panebio, Allan Diaz, Romeo Diaz Jr., Warlita Fuentes, Jose Diaz, Wilma Yator, Celerina Canete, and Charlie Diaz; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Domina was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings Oscar, Ricky, and Effefania (Bebe).

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.