Luanne Dooley

Luanne Dooley

YANKTON, S.D. — Luanne Dooley, 75, Yankton, S.D., died Dec. 20, 2023, at Avera Majestic Bluffs Hospice House, Yankton.

Funeral services are 2 p.m., Dec. 26, at the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington, with Joyce Koch officiating.

Burial will be in the Hartington City Cemetery.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral service at the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington.

Pallbearers are Holly Pedersen, Zack Pedersen, Liz Schenkel, Travis Schultz, Brandi Pedersen, Derek Schenkel and Tanner Pedersen.

Honorary pallbearers are Kenzie Pedersen, Garret, Charlie and Tommy Schultz.

Luanne was born March 19,1948, to Francis and Lillian (Lindemann) Smith, Hartington. Luanne graduated from Cedar Catholic High School and married the love of her life, Gary, Sept. 17, 1966.

Together, they built a life in Hartington, where they welcomed and raised their daughter, Shelly. Luanne dutifully served as a Deputy Clerk at the Cedar County Court House for many years and took pride in assisting fellow community members while also impeccably managing her home and caring for her family, even delivering hot meals to Gary and Shelly when they were working across town during mealtimes.

Never idle, Luanne was active in her community, skilled at crocheting and needlepoint, a great cook and hostess of events, and a hoot around a card table or at a bowling alley with friends and family. She was a servanthearted, constant presence and took great care of those she loved, including her parents as they aged.

Upon retirement, Luanne and Gary moved to Yankton to be closer to family. As a proud grandma to three and great-grandma to five, not one sports game, school event, or life milestone went uncelebrated by her. Her presence – and her marvelous mint chocolate bundt cake - enriched every experience.

Luanne is survived by her husband, Gary; daughter, Shelly (Gerald) Pedersen, Yankton, S.D.; grandchildren, Holly (Travis Schultz) Pedersen, Zack (Brandi) Pedersen and Liz (Derek) Schenkel; and great-grandchildren, Tanner and Kenzie Pedersen, Garret, Charlie and Tommy Schultz, all of Yankton, S.D.; sister, Nicki (Mike) Strauch; and nieces and nephews.

Luanne is preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Lillian Smith; sister, Yvonne Walsh; brother, Lee Smith.