Carolyn Ann Smith was born August 15, 1928, at Newell, SD, to Clarence and Halya (Ekstrom) Smith. She attended school in Newell, SD.

Carolyn married Standly Oedekoven on October 3, 1948. They lived on the family ranch on Nine Mile Creek near Vale, SD. Three children were born to this union: Rick, Darrell, and Carol. They moved to Sturgis in 1982.

Standly and Carolyn were planning to celebrate their 60th year of marriage when Standly passed away in 2008. After his death, she moved to Heritage Acres and later to Aspen Grove Assisted Living.

Carolyn was a past member of Vale Lutheran Church, Rachel Circle, and the "Friendly V Club." She served on county and city elections for 45 years. Standly and Carolyn started the Nine Mile Guys & Dolls 4-H Club and were leaders for 17 years. After the children grew, they started square dancing and continued dancing for 20 years. Carolyn also loved to paint pictures and entered several of her paintings in the county fair.

Carolyn Ann Oedekoven, 87, Sturgis, died Sunday, April 10, 2016, at Sturgis Regional Hospital.

Survivors include her sons, Rick (Carla) Oedekoven and Darrell (Penny) Oedekoven, all of Vale, SD; daughter, Carol (Kelvin) Grey of St. Lawrence, SD; eight grandchildren, Lea Ann (Waylon) Strohschein, Nicole (Justin) Mitchell, Clint (Jenny) Oedekoven, Wes (Amanda) Oedekoven, Misty (Will) Reedy, Kelli (Tad) DeVries, Kristina (Scott) Schaefer, and Kathy (Brad) Tofflemire; seventeen great-grandchildren; one sister, Shirley (Andy) Aronson of Spearfish, SD; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Standly; her parents; three brothers, Chester, Stanley, and Carl; and two sisters, Fern Ryther and Elsie Oedekoven.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 14, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at LifeSpring Wesleyan Church, Sturgis, With a prayer service at 7:00 pm.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 15, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. at LifeSpring Wesleyan Church in Sturgis with Pastor Dan Ziebarth officiating. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Memorials have been established to Sturgis FFA and to Meade County 4-H.

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