Jean G. Knuth, 94, of Elkton, SD passed away Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at Avera Flandreau Hospital. Jean was born March 19, 1924 to Edward and Mary (Welsh) Bird in Sutherland, IA. They moved to a farm west of Elkton in 1929. She completed 8 years of schooling at Parnell #10 school and 4 years at Elkton High School, graduating in 1941. She continued her education in Madison, SD and when the war started, she took a course in welding to work at Glen L Martins in Omaha, NE. She went to Minneapolis to work at Hennipen State Bank while Don worked and went to school. They returned to Elkton and were married February 16, 1944. They farmed for many years before moving to the Knuth family farm near Flandreau in 1978. She was an active member in the Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church and belonged to the Guild, in which she helped with wakes and funerals. She was a past member of the Starlite Hobby Club and Parnell extension club. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, gardening, her plants, dancing, going to fairs, visiting family and taking family vacations. Don passed away November 27, 2007. Jean became a resident of Riverview Healthcare Community in Flandreau on November 9, 2017.
Jean is survived by her children: Kathy (Randy) Larson, of Armour, SD, Ginny (Dale) Groepper and Traci (Mike) Johnson, all of Brookings, and Dan (Angela Deiterman) Knuth of Elkton; four grandchildren: Mindy Larson, Jeremy Larson, Chris Groepper, and Jennie Groepper; four great grandchildren: Forest, Max, Harper and Jack; son-in-law: Duane Ahlers; sister: Maxine (Dale) Lynn of Elkton and brother-in-law: Dick Oppelt of Brookings; many nieces and nephews and extended family.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; daughter, Donna Jean Ahlers; and two sisters, Betty and Margaret.
Mass of Christian Burial was held October 5, 2018 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, Elkton, with burial in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Elkton.
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