HURON — Viola Magness, 91, of Huron, passed away Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at her home, surrounded by family.

Her funeral service is 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at First Presbyterian Church in Huron, with burial at St. Lawrence Cemetery in St. Lawrence.

Her visitation, with family present, will be held one hour prior to the service on Saturday morning at First Presbyterian Church in Huron.

Viola “Vi” Jeanine Magness went to be with the Lord on Jan. 24, 2024. Vi was born on her parents’ farm north of Harrold, on Aug. 7, 1932, to Roy and Anne Beckett. She graduated from Harrold High School, where she was a cheerleader and basketball player. It was at one of those games that she met the love of her life. Cobbie and Vi were married on Oct. 22, 1951. They saved their wedding money and used it for the down payment to purchase a small sale barn in Huron. This was the beginning of their business partnership.

Vi’s priorities were her faith, her husband, her children, her home, and the business. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, where she served as a deacon and an elder and was a member of the Presbyterian Women Circle 6. She also served as a representative to Church Women United.

Vi and Cobbie were married 72 years. Christ was the center of their marriage. They practiced Ephesians 4:26. She loved going to basketball games with Cobbie, and they attended many state basketball tournaments.

As a young mother, the highlight of many summers was Vi loading up her children with a few neighbor friends and heading to Ravine Lake. Vi always made her children’s birthdays special. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and treasured the time spent with them.

In her younger years, Vi enjoyed working in her yard. She took pleasure in caring for her home. Vi and Cobbie worked side-by-side in their business for almost 60 years. Vi was a talented, meticulous bookkeeper. She valued the many friendships formed with customers throughout the years. Vi encouraged many friends and family by her cards and notes sent to them.    

For many years Vi was involved in Christian Women’s Club, served as Chairman of the Beadle County American Red Cross, and was a member of PEO Chapter F. In 2008, Vi and Cobbie were inducted into the South Dakota 4-H Volunteer Hall of Fame.

Vi is survived by her children, Brad (Lori) Magness of Huron, Julie (Rick) Bauer of Harrold, and Becky (Greg) Klein of Dallas; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; a sister, Charlotte Meyer of Rapid City; and a sister-in-law, Charlene Beckett of Miller.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon “Cobbie”; her parents; her brothers, Doug, Delmar, and Ronnie; her sister, Hazel Mueller; as well as brothers-in-law, Paul Mueller and Nick Meyer.

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