Laura Olson, 84, Aberdeen, passed away Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at Wheatcrest Hills Healthcare Center, Britton, SD.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Aberdeen.

Burial follows at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Visitation is one hour before Mass at the church on Tuesday.

The use of masks is respectfully recommended but not required at her services.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.  Family and friends may sign the online guestbook and also view the service via the live stream service link at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Laura Gronke was born on November 30, 1936 at Waubay, SD to Jacob Gronke Sr. and Leocadia (Dargatz) Gronke. She was baptized in Waubay, SD. Laura had her 1st Communion and Confirmation in Grenville, SD. Laura was 1 of 12 children.

Laura was employed as a cook for the Aberdeen and Watertown County jails until she retired. In her spare time, she enjoyed gardening, canning, and sewing blankets and clothes.  She also loved reading, baking, cooking for others, and embroidering.   Laura also had a passion for her owls, which she had large collection of and raised chickens and sold their eggs from time to time.

Laura is survived by five children: Gary (Cindy) Olson, Karen (Carrol) Gunnell, Timothy (Bonnie) Olson, Deborah (Brian) Beck, and Nicole (LeRoy) Robinson; 10 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and her siblings: Gladys Brown, Butte, MT, Alice Waligoski, Waseca, MN, Diane Trego, Sheridan, WY,  Richard Gronke, Missoula, MT, Katie (Len) Mack, Watertown, SD,  Linda Gronke, Roslyn, SD, Susie (Doug) Christensen, Ashton, SD and Barry (Val) Gronke, Watertown, SD; two sisters-in-law, Pat Gronke, Grenville, SD and Delores Gronke, Waubay, SD; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Laura is preceded in death by her parents, Jacob Sr. and Leocadia Gronke; her brothers: Jacob Jr., Ernest, and Daniel; and three brothers-in-law.

Condolences may be sent to: Tim Olson, 11884 416th Ave., Langford, SD, 57454.

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