Briana Rose (Wilson) Funk let go of her earthbound oars and has floated the heavenly stream to eternity on July 29, 2016. She had a short battle with cancer, but those who know her well knew she died of a broken heart from the loss of their son, Shawn.

Briana was born June 4, 1955, to Howard K. and Constance I. (Weaver) Wilson at John Burns Memorial Hospital in Belle Fourche, SD. Her loving mother and father brought her home to the family farm, northeast of Vale, to join three sisters and 2 brothers. This is where she spent the first three years of her life. In 1958, the family made the move to their brand new home in Newell. That is where the third and final brother joined the family in 1960 to make the Wilson family complete.

Briana attended all her school years at the Newell School and graduated in 1973.

Briana loved music. She enjoyed playing the piano and French horn. She absolutely loved marching band.

Her love of reading she inherited from her mom. She spent summers checking out every book she could from the local library. She would continue to be an avid reader all of her life.

Yes, Briana worked and retired from two different corporations. She was a very dedicated and favorite employee but that was not what was important to her in her list of accomplishments. Her life force was the love of her family and friends.

She married the apple of her eye, her soul mate, and the best husband and father in the universe, Ron, on May 21, 1983. Together they raised a beautiful son, Shawn, in Colorado. Shawn was the absolute joy of their life.

In 1996, circumstances brought them to South Dakota to help Briana's mom and dad out so they could stay in their own home. Shawn followed a year later to help with their care. Many wonderful and lasting memories were made.

The time spent together in Newell was a wonderful and very enjoyable time. Being with family and helping family was what life was about to all of them. Through all the laughter and tears, the family bond stood strong. Mom passed in February 2003, and Dad passed in July 7, 2008. They both were able to stay in their home as they had wished. Six weeks later after his grandpa passed, Shawn was taken to eternity unexpectedly. It broke Ron and Briana's hearts. After the loss of their son, Ron and Briana moved outside of Spearfish in the hills. They enjoyed their time there with family and friends. They loved living near Spearfish and all the wonderful, kind people they grew to know and love.

Briana is survived by her husband, Ron; brothers, Kirk (Joyce) Wilson, Tim (Pam) Wilson, and Tom (Kathryn) Wilson; sisters, Kathy (Bob) Nikodym, Mary Wilson, and Corinne (Syd) Iwan. Survivors also include stepdaughter, Brandi Black (Andre) and children; and stepson Joshua Daleigh and family. She is also survived by numerous sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. Briana had a wonderful group of nieces and nephews who all held a very special place in her heart. They were all very special to her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Constance Wilson; son, Shawn Funk; nephew, Jeremiah Wilson; niece, Jennifer Wilson; paternal grandparents, Henry and Alice Wilson; and maternal grandparents, Ralph Weaver and Eve Anderson.

Visitation will be Wednesday, August 3, 2016 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel.

Services will be held Thursday, August 4th, 2016, at 10:00 a.m.at the Belle Fourche Community Center with Chaplain Randy Bradley officiating. Burial will follow at the Wilson Cemetery.

A memorial had been established to the Wilson Cemetery Fund.

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