Obituary of Joyce Conklin

Joyce Conklin, age 94 of Yankton, SD passed away peacefully at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, SD as the sun rose on Easter morning, April 5, 2015, surrounded by the love and support of her family and friends. Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM, Saturday, April 25, 2015 at the United Church of Christ (Congregational), Yankton, SD with Rev. Molly Carlson officiating. Burial will be in the Hills of Rest Cemetery, Sioux Falls, SD at approximately 2:30 PM Saturday afternoon. Visitations will begin at 6:00 PM, Friday, April 24, 2015 at the United Church of Christ (Congregational), Yankton, with a Scripture service at 7:00 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. The Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, is assisting with service details. Joyce Elaine Conklin was born in Spring Township, Iowa on August 18, 1920. Her early childhood years were spent on the farm with her siblings and numerous cousins. In 1929 the family moved to Sioux Falls where Joyce lived most of her life, moving to Yankton in 2006 to be closer to her family. Joyce attended Washington High School and took many business courses which would prove helpful in her career, enjoyed her fine arts classes, and was active in debate. She graduated in 1938 and entered the workplace, starting at Buckingham Transportation Co., Dobash Transportation, Commercial Credit Corporation, Wilson Truck Line and Tri-State Transportation. Tri-State Transportation became Hyman Freightways and Joyce worked there for 43 years retiring in 1985. She came out of retirement twice to assist when they were short workers. The most important relationship in Joyce's life was with her Lord and Savior. She attended First Baptist Church in Sioux Falls where she was baptized in 1946 beside her mother by immersion. She taught Sunday school to second graders for over 40 years. She loved her time with The Kings Daughters, SAM (Senior Adult Ministry), and coordinating the Resource Room for the other Sunday school teachers. Joyce volunteered at the Firehouse Coffee Bar and Sioux Valley Hospital, earning recognition for 100 hours of service in 1988. It was at First Baptist that Joyce met her best friend Marian Bossman. One of the Church Sextons called them the Gold Dust Twins. Marian and Joyce attended house parties, bingo nights, and many other activities that young folks availed themselves of in that era. They traveled across the country and around the world as the years went by. Sometimes they went with church groups, family members, or other friends. Most often it was just the two of them, driving along the highway in Joyce's green Studebaker. By the time Marian passed away in 2002, they had seen all but two states plus Canada, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Their friendship extended to both of their families, giving each one bonus families strong in faith that endures three generations later. When Joyce moved to Yankton she joined The United Church of Christ (Congregational) where she served on the Search Committee, the Board of Music, and the Knitting Circle. Many people recovering from illness received one of Joyce's beautiful prayer shawls. Joyce loved sharing the activities of the many children and young adults who touched her life. Joyce is survived by her nephews: Roger Willcut, Brian Willcut, Blane Willcut, Vernon Conklin, Walter Hudelson, and Gary Hudelson; nieces: Karen Crockford, Billie Rask, Bonnie Edwards, Sallie Edwards, Susan Payson, and many great, great-great, and great-great-great nephews and nieces. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Verne and Clarissa Conklin (Johnston); brother, Gene; sisters, Gladys Willcut and Maxine Hudelson; nieces: Vivian Duvernois, Barbara Willcut, Roberta Diede, and Sandra Heeg. Aunt Joyce will be missed by all in her uniquely blended family as well as her many friends in her church and community families. Her memory will long live as her family enjoys the uniquely handcrafted Christmas ornaments she made for many years. In 2001 when the number of ornaments needed to include her ever growing blended family reached the hundreds, Joyce decided it was time to start a new tradition and began sharing journals of family memories each Christmas. These have become treasured parts of her family's lives. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to UCC Memorial Fund, c/o United Church of Christ (Congregational), 218 W. 5th St., Yankton, S.D. 57078.