Vivian E. Jones

Vivian E. Jones, age 91, of Lake Preston, passed away on Friday, September 13, 2024, at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in De Smet, SD. Father Larry Regynski will officiate.

Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM on Monday, September 16, 2024, at the Johnson-Henry Funeral Chapel in Lake Preston as well as in the hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday.

Interment at Lake Preston Cemetery following the lunch.

The family requests memorials in Vivian’s honor be made to Lake Preston Cemetery in lieu of flowers.

Vivian Elizabeth Jones (Lakner) was born on February 19, 1933, to John and Elizabeth Lakner in Wessington, SD. She went to her Heavenly home on Friday, September 13, 2024, at the age of 91.

Vivian attended school in Wessington, SD. She married Charles “Chuck” Jones on November 4, 1948. Vivian and Chuck were married for more than 63 years. To that union five children were born: Arthur, Arden, Sandra, Gayle, and Roger.

Vivian and Chuck farmed in the Wessington area for several years before settling in Lake Preston. Vivian spent her time raising and supporting her family and being a great Mom and Grandma. Vivian spent several years working at the Lake Preston Hospital, spending time as a surgical tech of which she was extremely proud. In 1973, Chuck and Vivian purchased Streeters Grocery and renamed it Chuck’s Grocery. Vivian worked alongside Chuck, growing the business and running the store for 20 years until Chuck’s retirement. After they sold the store to Roger and his wife Barb, Vivian continued to work for them for several years.

Vivian enjoyed her family most of all! She loved being the “hostess with the mostess” and having her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids around. Holidays were always memorable! The Christmas Day celebrations were something for the books! Chuck loved to cook and Vivian loved to entertain. The grandkids loved getting a lottery scratch ticket with the hope of hitting a winner. Vivian always called the grandkids and friends on their birthdays and was quick to sing a great version of Happy Birthday to You! The past few years Vivian had been honored by her friends at New Horizon Bar with “Miss Vivian Day” on her birthday – February 19th. It was a fun time, and she loved every minute of her special day. “Granny” as Vivian was affectionately known by her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids loved to have a good time! In typical Granny fashion she went to Heaven on a Friday the 13th!

In the past two years Vivian had resided at Silver Plains in Lake Preston. It was an adjustment for Vivian to not have her car and not be living on her own. She did settle in and enjoyed her friends at Silver Plains.

Vivian was preceded in death by her, parents; siblings and their spouses: Clayton (Wilma) Lakner, Luane (Bill) Lichty, Stanlee (MaryAnn) Lakner, and Ray Naber; husband, Chuck; daughter, Sandra; and son, Arthur.

Those left to fondly remember Vivian are her daughter-in-law, Brenda Jones of Garretson, SD; children: Arden (Debra) Jones of Hartford, SD, Gayle (Tom) Birath of Marshall, MN, and Roger (Barb) Jones of Lake Preston, SD; 13 grandchildren: Michelle, Chad, Amber, Nathan, Raftyn, Ross, Dustin, Hilary, Sara, Felicia, Katie, Cari, and Shay; 37 great-grandchildren; her sister, Pat Naber of Miller, SD; brother-in-law, Jim Hancock of Miller, SD; as well as many nieces and nephews, and countless friends. May God Bless the Legacy of Vivian Jones.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel           www.crawfordosthus.com           Watertown, Hayti, De Smet, Bryant, Arlington, Lake Preston and Oldham

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