Obituary of Illa Mae Tienken

TIENKEN ILLA MAE

Illa Mae Tienken, age 90 of Yankton, SD passed away Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at the Bethesda Home of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, SD.  Private Family Funeral Services will be 2:00 PM, Monday, February 15, 2021 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton, SD with Rev. Jacqueline Hickox-Morgan officiating.  Burial of her cremated remains will be 11:00 AM, Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at the Yankton Cemetery, Yankton, SD.  Walk through visitations will begin at 12:00 PM, Monday, February 15, 2021 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Onsite Crematory, Yankton, SD. Due to COVID-19 concerns, friends and family are encouraged to participate through live streaming of Mae’s services at:  https://www.facebook.com/opsahlkostel/live.  Those wishing to attend the visitation in person are required to wear a mask and to practice social distancing guidelines.  Online condolences may be made at:  www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com.

Illa Mae was born May 26, 1930 in Butte, NE, to Chet and Maxine (Carmichael) Wilson. She graduated from high school in Butte, NE, in 1948. She taught country school and worked as a telephone operator after high school.  Illa Mae Wilson married Charles Tienken on December 9, 1953 in Butte, NE. They moved to Yankton, SD in 1959 and raised their family there.  Mae had an in-home daycare for many years prior to her job at the Human Services Center in the Vocational Rehabilitation Department.

After retirement in 1995, Mae and Charles enjoyed traveling, dancing and time spent with family. Mae was actively involved in Girls Scouts, American Legion Auxiliary, and the UCC Congregational Church. She had a close relationship with her sisters and looked forward to their weekly coffee gatherings.  She loved reading, baking, spending time with her grandchildren and the very special yearly trips with her daughters.

Mae is survived by her children: Peg (Rich) Jackson of Scottsbluff, NE, Jim (Kelly) Tienken of Longmont, CO, Kathy (Brad) Moore of Aberdeen, SD, Nancy (Bob) Yada of Aberdeen, SD; son-in-law, Dan Morgan of Freedom, WY; sisters, Twila (Ron) Burwitz and Deanna Stepanek both of Yankton, SD; sister-in-law, Kathryn Tribby of Sturgis, SD; 14 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and many nieces, and nephews.  

Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, in 2018; daughter, Pam Morgan; brother, Gary; her parents; in-laws, Gerhardt and Clara Tienken; brothers-in-law, Charles Tribby and Larry Stepanek; and nephew Doug Tribby.

Memorials may be made to the United Church of Christ (Congregational) 210 W. 5th Street, Yankton, SD 57078 or Bethesda Home, 1224 S. High St., Aberdeen, SD 57401.