Iona Mae Vigness, 94 of Flandreau, SD, passed away April 3, 2023, at Touchmark All Saints in Sioux Falls, SD.
Iona was born on May 5, 1928, to Ona and Agnes Crawford at their home farm near Fairview, SD.   She was the second of three children.  She joined a large extended tightknit family with her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and numerous cousins who were also her best friends all living near Canton, SD.
Iona attended country school and then Canton High School.  After graduation she attended General Beadle State Teacher’s College in Madison, SD.   As she and friends were leaving the movie theater, she met a handsome sailor in uniform.  Sylvan Vigness, was that sailor.  She taught school in Colman during their two-year engagement and were married on August 29, 1949.  They moved to Brookings, SD, while Sylvan finished his degree at South Dakota State University. Upon Sylvan’s graduation, they moved to Rutland, SD for three years before settling in Flandreau, SD where they lived the rest of their lives.
After raising their three children, she went to work at the Moody County Enterprise newspaper as the society reporter. She always had fond memories of her time spent working for the newspaper.
They loved to travel and went to Norway three times to visit relatives.  They also attended many of Sylvan’s Navy reunions, enjoyed summers in the Black Hills in their camping trailer, cherished short camping trips to Newton Hills, and many other destinations with friends and family.  Eventually they took their travel trailer to McAllen, TX as snowbirds where they enjoyed their winters and made many good friends.
Iona was a wonderful hostess and always enjoyed company.  She greeted everyone with open arms and food.  She enjoyed baking. Her grandchildren loved her cinnamon rolls, brownies, donuts, chocolate chip cookies, party mix and of course lefse.  She always had containers of goodies in her freezer, and always had time and love for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Iona was an active member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, WELCA, Chapter X PEO, Athena Literary Club, Dance Club, and American Legion Auxiliary.  And really loved her neighborhood coffee parties and get togethers.
Iona was preceded in death by her husband Sylvan, her son Daniel, and her sister Ardis.
Those that are left missing her are daughter Carol (Marty) Engquist, son Dwight (Lisa) Vigness, daughter-In-Law Deb Vigness,  grandchildren: Jennifer (Corey) Ferrie; Molly (Karissa Brown) Engquist; James (Jayden) Engquist; Austin Vigness; Jacob (Katlyn Baker) Vigness; Jyll (Troy) Luettel; Nathan (Brooke) Vigness; Andrew (Shelly) Vigness; Kayla (Jesse) Ratzsch; Great Grandchildren: Danielle, Madelyn, Paxson, Jack, Viera, Vance, Kessler, Nora, Ada, Oliver, Kloie, Alec and Ryatt; and her brother Leland (Mardelle) Crawford along with a host of other family and friends.
She was the foundation and blessing to her family and good friend to many. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM, Friday, April 7th, 2023 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church with burial in Union Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Thursday, April 6th, 2023 with a prayer service beginning at 5:30 PM at Skroch Funeral Chapel  in Flandreau.
www.skrochfc.com