Carol Stephens

Carol E. Stephens, 98, of Miller, passed away Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at Good Samaritan Society in Miller.

Funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, July 2, 2018 at Reck Funeral Home, Miller with Pastor Roger Day officiating. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service. Burial followed at Spring Hill Cemetery, rural Gann Valley. A lunch was served at 12:00 p.m., before the service, at Willie’s in St. Lawrence.

On March 27, 1920, Carol Elaine Stephens was born to Paul Howard and Mary (Alt) Howard at home in Davidson County, SD. Carol attended grade school in Buffalo Co. and graduated from Gann Valley High School in 1939. After graduation, she worked as a mother’s helper until her marriage.

She married Bill Stephens, April 17, 1940. To this union three children were born: William Howard (Billy), Cheryl Elaine and Dixie Jean. They lived in Buffalo County until 1946, when they purchased a ranch in Hughes County, they moved to Highmore in 1961.

After the move to Highmore, Carol worked as a cook at the school, various café’s and the nursing home. She purchased Stephen’s Café in 1971 and operated the business until 1983, when she sold it and moved to Buffalo County where she lived on the Knippling Ranch. Carol lived in Mitchell and Wessington Springs before moving to Miller in 2006 to the Good Samaritan Assisted Living.

Carol was a member of the Methodist Church in Highmore, the Congregational Church and the Lady Helpers in Gann Valley.

Carol lived the rough years of depression. Being a child in a family of fourteen children and the oldest daughter, she assumed responsibilities for her siblings, younger and older. Consequently, she was a hard worker, a good housekeeper and an excellent cook. She was meticulous and required that same standard from all who worked for and with her.

Left to mourn her passing is her daughter, Cheryl (John) Knippling of Gann Valley: daughter-in-law, Yvonne Stephens of Red Cloud, NE, brothers: William Howard of California and John Howard of White Lake; sisters: Mary (Gene) Jirsa of Highmore, Faye Day of Boise, ID, and Lora (Dave) Thomas of West Hills, CA; grandchildren: Monte Knippling, Mark (Babe) Knippling, Kelly Gran, Kori (Brent) Blake, Bert (Summer) Stephens, Robin (Randy) Sporrer, Donna (Randy) George, Brenda (Robert) Haseman, and Sarah (Brent) Woodman; and many great and great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; son, Billy Stephens; daughter, Dixie Stephens; infant son; siblings: Frank, Leo, Jr, Nick, Bob, Teddy, Ruth, and LaVee; great grandson, Thomas Blake; great granddaughter, Jasmyn Knippling; and great-great grandson, Damien Hoit.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Carol’s arrangements.