Iona Waagmeester Eckhoff

Iona was born November 29, 1923 at Larchwood, Iowa, the daughter of Frank and Lilly (Christensen) Lewis. She grew up at Larchwood and graduated from high school in 1942. Shortly after graduation, Iona married Harvey Waagmeester on August 28, 1942 in Dakota City, Nebraska. They lived on the Waagmeester family farm near Larchwood and operated the farm from 1942 to 1953. Iona and Harvey began raising their children on the farm. Iona had a large garden at the farm and spent many hours weeding the garden and canning her vegetables. In 1953, they moved the family to Sioux Falls. Iona worked at the Town & Country Caf for 26 years and then at Westward Ho Country Club for a number of years until she retired in 1985 to care for Harvey. Harvey died January 6, 1989. Iona married Herbert Eckhoff on August 7, 1992 and they lived at Bridgewater, South Dakota. After Herbert passed away September 2, 2000, Iona moved back to Sioux Falls. Iona was an avid bowler for over 30 years and liked watching all types of sports. She enjoyed growing flowers, especially petunias. Grateful for having shared in her life are her ten children: Winona (Jim) Dockery of Ft. Collins, CO, Carolyn (Don) Hood of Loveland, CO, Myron (Julie) Waagmeester of Sioux Falls, Brendell (Richard) Jeffers of Sioux Falls, Paulina (Rich) Perkins of Sioux Falls, Jay (Donelle) Waagmeester of Sioux Falls, Danny (Stacey) Waagmeester of Inwood, IA, Kenny (Linda) Waagmeester of Sioux Falls, Amber (Steve) Long of Sioux Falls and Carla (Bill) Lynn of Sioux Falls; 32 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren; a sister, Joyce Vermeer of Rock Rapids, IA; and many nieces, nephews and extended family. She is preceded in death by her parents, both husbands and 12 siblings.