Leona Mae (Huddleston) Casteel was born March 7, 1926, to Lee and Mayme (Miner) Huddleston in Wasta, SD. Leona was raised in Piedmont and Sturgis, SD. Leona graduated from Sturgis High School in 1944 and received her diploma from National School of Business in Rapid City, SD, in 1945. She married Donald W. Casteel on January 21, 1946, and they raised seven children on the family farm near Vale.

Leona, 91, died Saturday, September 23, 2017, at the Lippold Hospice Suite at Sturgis Regional Hospital surrounded by her family.

She is survived by sons, Don (Flora Weisz) Casteel, Riverton WY, Guy (Billye Jo) Casteel, Newell, SD, Jerry (Pat) Casteel, Sturgis, and Doug (Chomporn) Casteel, Mobile, AL; daughters, Susan Bruce, Sturgis, Connie (Michael) Manning, Littleton, CO, and Sandy (Tim) Smith, Belle Fourche, SD; 14 grandchildren, Dawn Casteel, Cressie Mahaffey, Gary Ellington, Steve Ellington, Wanda Casteel, Lynn (Josh) Nixon, Kelly (Miranda) Casteel, Krystal Casteel, Ryan (Keri) Casteel, Seth (Annie) Bruce, Stacy (Dan) Castro, Stephaine (Patrick) Isom, and Lisa Smith; 24 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great grandchildren. Leona is also survived by sister, Lois (Blas) Skvicalo, Lead, SD, and brother, Bill (Darlene) Huddleston Sturgis, SD.

Leona was preceded in death by her spouse, Donald Casteel; parents, Lee and Mayme Hudleston; brothers, Bud Huddleston and Red Huddleston; sisters, Mrytle Malen and Betty Dubry; and grandson, Jason Bruce

Leona "THE SWEETEST" lady ever enjoyed making baked goods for friends, family, and strangers alike. She enjoyed working at the auctions (handing out numbers, visiting with people, and providing baked goods), and playing cards. She was still playing cards and winning up until the night before she went into the hospital. Family was very important to our mom. She was the center of our family and had a heart of gold. She is the best of each of us and will be missed!

Thank you to our brother, Jerry (& Pat), and sisters, Susan (Thank You So Much) and Sandy (& Tim), for being there to support Mom in her later years.

Memorials have been established to the Vale Fire Department and Sturgis Ambulance.

Visitation will be Monday, September 25, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 26, 2017, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel with Pastor Tim Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis.