Iona Baumeister, age 88, of Lemmon, SD, passed away on Thursday evening, July 21, 2022 at Monument Health in Rapid City, SD.

The Rosary for Iona will be held at 10:00 a.m. followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lemmon, SD.  Fr. Dan Juelfs will officiate with burial to follow in the Greenhill Cemetery at Lemmon.

Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 29, 2022 at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon, SD.

Iona was born in Esmond, ND, to Roy and Geneva Haley on February 22, 1934.  After the death of her father, the family moved north of Lemmon, SD.  In her teen years Iona met the love of her life, Gene Baumeister, who worked on a family farm north of Lemmon.

Iona and Gene were married in 1952.  Gene served in the Korean War while Iona taught at the country school north of Lemmon.  After Gene was discharged from the military he was hired by Pete Ginther on a ranch south of Morristown, SD, close to the Grand River.  Iona said that living there were some of the happiest days of her life.

Later they were hired by tom Lyman and moved to a ranch north of McLaughlin, SD, where they lived and raised their family for 18 years.  During those years they were blessed with 8 children and made many special friends.  They moved back to Lemmon in 1980 where they became partners with Tom Lyman on a ranch south of Lemmon.

After Gene's death, Iona moved into lemmon where she became active in her church, the VFW Auxiliary and was s strong advocate for Right to Life.  Iona loved dancing and playing cards and marbles.  Many school house dances were enjoyed with friends and family.  She especially loved playing pinochle with her sons where many heated conversations occurred, with her always winning the argument.  After a short illness, Iona passed away while in the company of her family.  She always maintained a deep faith with the Lord, the love of her children, and has now rejoined Gene in Heaven.

Iona is survived by her six sons, Rene Baumeister, Ridge (Nancy) Baumeister, Ross Baumeister, Royce (Sandy) Baumeister, Rik (Rhonda) Baumesiter and Ryan (Ashli) Baumeister; two daughters, Ruth (Nick) Holzer and Rae (Hal) Bless; 22 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; sister, Millie (Ron) Roland; sister-in-law, Lorraine Moser; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gene Baumeister; grandson, Cassidy Baumeister; great-grandson, Morgan; four sisters, Bernice, Bonnie, Rosemary and Kay; and two brothers, Larry and Jack.