Obituary of Yvonne Luken

Yvonne “Vonnie” Luken, age 81 of Yankton, SD began her heavenly journey on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 departing from Sanford Vermillion Care Center, Vermillion, SD with loving family by her side. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Friday, March 3, 2017 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Yankton, SD with Rev. Ken Lulf officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Yankton, SD. Visitations will begin at 5:00 PM, Thursday, March 2, 2017 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, SD with a rosary at 6:45 PM followed by a Scripture service at 7:00 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. On-line condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com. Pallbearers are Bill Ziegler, Mark Ziegler, Kim Kathol, Brent Weidler, and Cameron Luken. Vonnie began her earthly adventure (and it was an adventure) on May 13, 1935 at home in Luxemburg Twp, MN as a daughter to Bernard and Loretta (Schreiner) Schwartz and eventually a sister to 15 siblings. She spent her formative years helping her parent’s farm and going to school. As you can imagine, it took a lot of work to cloth, feed and clean-up after a bustling family of 18. Vonnie learned to be creative, thrifty, a caregiver/nurse and became a wonderful cook. These skills served her well all her life and endeared her to many. Vonnie met the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Luken, at a school dance. She became a wife when they wed December 29, 1954 in Oklahoma City, OK. As a couple, Bob and Vonnie returned to the Fort Bliss Army base in El Paso, TX where Bob served and was teaching rocket operations. Vonnie began her role as a mother a year later with the birth of their daughter. When Bob’s military service ended, they moved to Oklahoma City where another daughter joined the family. For a brief time they called Fort Morgan, CO home before finally settling in Yankton, SD where two more daughters and two sons joined their family. Over the years Vonnie also became a grandmother to 10 and great-grandmother to 14 children. While Bob worked to grow Luken Memorials, Vonnie supported his efforts while nurturing 6 children. Maintaining a household for 8 kept her busy but she always took time to help others. Through the years Vonnie was a member of the Catholic Daughters, Sacred Heart and St. Benedict Catholic Churches; had fun with the Extension Club and volunteered at the Avera adult daycare. Vonnie loved to garden, had beautiful flower beds and enjoyed bird watching. Though she didn’t grow them, orchids were her favorite flower. Bob and Vonnie loved to travel and visited many states, making sure to include stops at lighthouses along the way. Vonnie is survived by her children: Deb Hansen of Grove City, OH, Diane (LeRoy) Zander of Keystone, SD, Tina (Bill) Ziegler of Yankton, SD, Michelle (Kim) Kathol of Redmond OR, Bob (Michele) Luken of Yankton, SD, Scott (Angie) Luken of Yankton, SD; grandchildren: Rory (Stephanie) Hansen, Eric (Robyn) Hansen, Brandon Zander, Brooke (Sid) Newstrom, Brittany (Eli) Farrell, Stephanie (Brent) Weidler, Mark (Katie) Ziegler, Cameron Luken, Erin Luken, Hailey Luken; great-grandchildren: Caleb, Megan & Tyler Hansen, Adalyn, Carter and Ella Hansen, Grayson Riddle and Reed Newstrom, Connor, Madison, Zander and Porter Farrell, Aiden and Christian Weidler; 2 brothers and 6 sisters. Vonnie was preceded in death by her husband, Bob in 2011, her parents, 5 brothers and 2 sisters. Memorials can be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association of South Dakota, 1000 North West Avenue, #250, Sioux Falls, SD 57104 or a charity of your choice.