Yvonne St. John

Funeral services were 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at St. Catherine’s Hall in West Bend. Burial was in St. Catherine’s Cemetery, West Bend, directed by Luze Funeral Home of Highmore. There was a two night wake at 7:00 p.m., Monday, December 8 and Tuesday, December 9 at St. Catherine’s Hall in West Bend.

She will be dearly missed and survived by her sister, Benedicta Steve of Choctaw, Mississippi; three brothers: Pete and Guy St. John of West Bend, SD and Odell St. John of Mobridge, SD.; children; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Soloman and Ruth; brothers: Justin “Tiny” St. John and Joseph Red Water; taken sons: Scott St. John and Robert Red Water; 2 nephews: Keith and Tek St. John; grand niece, baby Ellen Rabbit; 3 aunts: Nelda Lambie, Clara Howe and Rose Howe; and 3 cousins: Phyllis Danielson, Margaret Gonzales, and Brad Big Eagle.

Yvonne Marie was born to Soloman and Ruth (Sargeant) St. John on May 6, 1942 at her home in Big Bend. Growing up in Big Bend, South Dakota, Yvonne spent much of her time at her family farm and ranch. As a child, she attended country school in Big Bend. In 7th and 8th grade, she was hospitalized for Tuberculosis. She attended high school in Stephan and later obtained her G.E.D. Yvonne held jobs in the West Bend community at Head start and the Elementary School as a cook and bus driver.

Yvonne never had her own children but raised Laurie Tuttle, Tammy St. John, Jamie Hill, Lisa St. John, Georgie Tuttle, Deion Red Tomahawk, Mason Steuck, and Joey Hill as her own children. In February of 2007, she became ill from a lung disease and her health slowly diminished but her faith and spirit did not.

Yvonne enjoyed WWE, watching the Project Ruth softball team, pow-wows, yard sales, cook outs, and family gatherings.

If you were troubled or needed help, you could always count of Yvonne. She was just a phone call away. Her kindness and generosity will always be remembered.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Yvonne's arrangements.

MINISTERS
Father Bernard Rosinski
Father Michael Burke

CASKETBEARERS
Victor St. John
Chuck Steuck
Duane St. John
Shawn St. John
James Big Eagle
Duane Tuttle
Chris Mexican
Brian Hill
Jonathon Coleman

HONORARY CASKETBEARERS
Special Grandsons: Deion Red Tomahawk & Mason Steuck
Velma Krebbs
Naomi Chapman
Violet Catches
Eleanor Dunn
Vicki Lambert
Rena Chapman
Project Ruth Softball Team
Family & Friends