Donna Wade

Donna J. Wade, age 92, of De Smet, SD, passed away on Monday, October 21, 2024, at Avera Memorial Hospital in De Smet, SD.

Memorial Services for Donna Wade will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at the American Lutheran Church in De Smet. Pastor Nate Bendorf will officiate with music provided by Mary Weerts as organist. Honorary pallbearers will be Donna's Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren. The service will be livestreamed and recorded via the Crawford-Osthus website.

Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM on Friday, October 25, 2024, at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Home in De Smet.

Donna Jean Wade was born on August 17, 1932, to Sam and Margrete (James) Gilbertson near Erwin, SD. She attended Happy Hill country school and Erwin High School. Donna earned her teaching certificate from General Beadle State Teachers College in Madison and taught at Manchester School.

She married Roy Wade on August 31, 1952 at West Bethany Lutheran Church. They lived briefly near Camp Pendleton, California until Roy was discharged from the Marines.

They returned to South Dakota and farmed for the next 65 years southwest of De Smet. Donna worked alongside Roy on the farm and also cooked for many years at De Smet School. She loved to garden, bake and play cards. Donna also helped tie many quilts for the church.

She moved to Iroquois after Roy’s death in 2019, then moved to the Village in De Smet one year ago. She was a member of the American Lutheran Church of De Smet.

She treasured her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her three children: Jean (Marv) Bouska of Rapid City, Duane (special friend, Kelly Luedt) of Walcott, Iowa, and Mary (Brad) Wienbar of Iroquois; four grandchildren: Mathew (Rachel) Wienbar of Beresford, Annie (Kevin) Schaefer of Colman, Leah (Evan) Olson of Madison, and Wesley (Kristen) Bouska of LaCrosse, Wisconsin; fourteen great-grandchildren, Roy, Franklin, George and Grace Bouska, Dan Benson, Raine, Ash, and Elliot Wienbar, Brielle, Barrett, Blaire, Everlea, and Conrad Schaefer, and Lily Olson; one brother, Merlyn Gilbertson; and two sisters-in-law, Carole and Delda Gilbertson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy; parents, Sam and Margrete Gilbertson; and brother Leonard Gilbertson.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel                                                           www.crawfordosthus.com

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