Obituary of Theola Rae McLaury

Theola Rae McLaury, 82, went to be with her Lord Friday, September 25 at the Prairie Estates Care Center in Elk Point, SD. Due to Covid-19 concerns, there will be a private, family service held at Parkston Congregational Church. Memorials would be preferred in lieu of flowers.

Theola Rae McLaury was born January 10, 1938 to Eddie Clifford and Irene A. (Steffen) Johnson in Olivet, SD. She attended Menno High School and graduated in 1956. She moved to Sioux Falls, SD where she obtained her degree as a X-Ray technician at Sioux Valley Hospital in 1958. She was united in marriage to Richard McLaury on June 1, 1958 in Olivet. While Richard completed his schooling at Dakota State in Madison, SD, Theola began her career as a X-Ray Technician at Madison Regional Hospital. In 1963, the couple moved to Parkston, SD where they started McLaury Construction. Theola worked for Dr. Delaney in Mitchell, SD for several years before working as a X-Ray Technician for St. Benedict Hospital in Parkston. She loved her time working in X-Ray at St. Benedict and all the friends she made while there. Theola, or Suzie as some of her friends would call her in reference to the Eberly Brother's song "Wake up Little Suzie", loved life to the fullest and enjoyed spending time with friends drinking coffee and eating snacks, especially lemon cake for which she was famous. She enjoyed following her children's activities and the many family gatherings held at her house. She was an active member of Parkston Congregational Church, formerly Salem United Church of Christ, and the American Cancer Society. She made many special friends and had fond memories of her time "snowbirding" in Arizona. She also enjoyed several trips abroad as well as dancing, golfing, fishing with family, and her many trips to bowl at nationals. Theola went to be with her Lord Friday, September 25, 2020 at the Prairie Estates Care Center in Elk Point, SD at the age of 82.

Grateful for having shared her life are her 4 children: Kim (Jean) McLaury of Elk Point; Kevin (Marilyn) McLaury of Montana City, MT; Barry (Kristi) McLaury of Pierre, SD; and LeOnna (Troy) Koehn of Parkston; and 13 grandchildren, Robyn (Lander) Bolte, Bobbie (Alan) Moehring, Stacie (fiancée Matthew Oliver) McLaury; Alex (fiancée Carly Corbisiero) McLaury; Tanner McLaury, Conner McLaury, Sydney (Tanner) Clausen, Madison McLaury, Hudson McLaury, MacKenzie Lee, Jacob Lee, Payton Koehn and Addison Koehn.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard; and 2 brothers, Leono and Donn "Butch".