Obituaries

Sylvia Kaye Stone, 84, of Sioux Falls, (formerly of Chariton, IA) died Monday, July 12, 2010 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

Kaye was born September 8, 1925 to Frank and Sylvia Thompson in Luverne, IA. In 1942, she married Robert M. Stone in Russell, IA. They moved and began their family in Chariton, IA where Kaye spent the majority of time raising their 4 adopted children.  In 1985, the real estate business brought Kaye and Bob to Des Moines, IA.  Kaye worked as an agent for Universal Realty for the next 20 years.

She was a member of the Christian Church and the Hospital Auxiliary of Za Ga Zig Shrine. After the death of her husband, Kaye moved to South Dakota where she resided at the Splitrock Retirement Center in Brandon for 4 years. She later joined her daughter Jánet and family in Sioux Falls, SD where the family spent years of quality time together.

Our family is forever thankful for being blest with a Mom like you, and as tough as it is to let you go, we pray you are now at peace and home with Dad, Mike, Jack, Chris, and Byron.  Thank you for all your loving stories, songs, and prayers; they will forever be remembered. Your beautiful legacy will live on forever through your grandchildren and your great grandchildren.  We love you!  _\m/

Survivors include her son, Ed (Linda) Stone of Gretna, LA; her daughter, Jánet (Lyle) Grate of Sioux Falls; her grandchildren, Linnea Grate (Guillermo Martinez) of Stamford, CT, LeAnn (Aaron) Jorgensen of Harrisburg, SD, Jonathan Grate of Murfreesboro, TN, Jeremy Grate of Minneapolis, MN, Kenny (Dawn) Stone of Bluegrass, IA, and Joey (Jesycca) Stone of Sacramento, CA; her great-grandchildren, Lucas and Jocelinn Jorgensen both of Harrisburg, SD, Jordan Martinez-Grate of Stamford, CT, Macayla and Mackensie Stone both of Bouton, IA, Angelique and Jasmine Stone both of Sacramento, CA.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Robert M. Stone, her two sons, Michael J. and Jack D. Stone, and her two grandsons, Christopher and Byron Stone.

The Grate Family extends their heartfelt thanks to all our dear friends who have helped us through this difficult time.  Your special love and support will always be remembered. 

Our special thanks to Lori and Tom Kober for granting Mom's wish that you be the ones to take care of her once she had passed away.  We knew this wasn't an easy request of you, but we also knew that God would grant you the strength to carry out her wishes.  We love you both for everything you have done for my Mom and for us!  Thank you too Eleanor (Eagle Bear) for assisting with all the funeral arrangements as well, but most importantly, for being such a loving friend to my Mom.  God bless you!

Special thanks to you Biz for making the trip to Vermillion to do Mom's hair, you helped make her wishes complete (I know she's smiling on you for getting rid of the gray).

To Those I love and Those Who Love Me

When I am gone, release me, let me go- I have so many things to see and do.  You musn't tie yourself to me with tears.  Be thankful for our many beautiful years.

I gave to you my love.  You can only guess how much you gave to me in happiness.  I thank you for the love you each have shown, but now it's time I traveled alone.

So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must, then let your grief be comforted by trust.  It's only for a time that we must part so bless the memories within your heart.

I won't be far away, for life goes on so if you need me, call and I will come.  Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near and if you listen with your heart, you'll hear all my love around you soft and clear.

And then when you must come this way alone, I'll greet you with a smile, and say-- Welcome Home!