Antoinette “Ann” Voelker, 82, of Colman, SD, passed away on Sunday, May 26, 2024. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, June 1, 2024, at St. Peter Catholic Church in Colman, SD. Visitation, with the family present will take place from 5:00 PM to 6:45 PM on Friday, May 31, 2024. Wake service and rosary to follow.
Sarah Antoinette Voelker (Miles) was born on June 23, 1941, in Philpot, KY, to Frank and Audrey (Higdon) Miles. She came to South Dakota to visit her Uncle Harold and Aunt Evelyn Miles when she met Gerald Voelker. Ann and Gerald were united in marriage on February 15, 1969. They lived and raised their family in the Colman area. This year they celebrated 55 years of marriage.
Ann was active in the Colman community with American Legion Auxiliary, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court 1362, and St. Peter Church Altar Society.
Obtaining her teaching degree in Kentucky before moving to South Dakota, Ann taught at the elementary school in Egan and substituted at various schools over the years. She worked at Sioux Valley Hospital for 18+ years, retiring in 2014.
Ann enjoyed teaching, gardening, and loved feeding people. When anyone walked in the door, she would ask, “Are you hungry?”. “Don’t be bashful” was her way of encouraging you to eat more. She passed on the art of lefsa making to any willing pupil.
Many would describe her as hardworking, selfless, and loving. Family was a big part of her life. She could not get enough time with all of her grandkids. Ann’s sleepovers were legendary among the grandkids and their friends. Holidays were often spent at the farm; everyone would gather in the living room playing games, opening presents, and eating Ann’s goodies.
Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Gerald, Colman, SD; children, Michele (Ron) Alley, Sioux Falls, SD, Cheryl (Erik) Skinner, Euless, TX, Steve (Emily) Voelker, Colman, SD, Helen (Mark) Bares, Dell Rapids, SD, and Gail (Shane) Mix, Rocky Point, WY; Grandchildren, Katrina Eich, Ashton Voelker, Seth (Myranda) Bares, Alex Voelker, Trent Ayers, Noah Skinner, Rhett Alley, Ryan Voelker, Jon Bares, Dalton Alley, Kyle Bares, Sarah Voelker, Thomas Alley, Joe Bares, Bill Mix, Eric Bares, Quinn Mix, and Grayson Voelker; great-grandson, Dakota James Bares; Sister, Edith Marie Jackson, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her siblings, Maurice Miles, Dennis Miles, Martha Rose Johnson, and brother-in-law, Ronald Voelker.
