Constance White

Constance Marcene Gudmunson White passed away peacefully with family by her side on Tuesday November 4, 2014 at the age of 77. Funeral service will be at 11:00am Friday, November 7 at Grace Lutheran Church (490 E. 1st St. Parker, SD (2 ½ blocks south of Highway 44)). Pastor Don Reiffenberger will be officiating. There will be lunch following the service. Burial will follow luncheon at Vangen Cemetary, Mission Hill, SD at 3:00pm. Visitation will begin Thursday November 6 at 5:00pm with family present from 5:30pm-7:30pm at Hofmeister/Jones Funeral Home in Parker, SD. Prayer service will begin at 7:30pm followed by an Eastern Star Service. Constance Gudmunson White was born September 17, 1937 to Magnus and Caroline (Hoffman) Gudmunson in Yankton, SD. Connie lived in Yankton until 8th grade before moving to Vermillion to live with her sisters’ family upon her parents deaths. Prior to graduating from Vermillion High School in 1955 she worked at Ray Cash Pharmacy and the COED movie theater. Connie was a superb vocalist and had a classmate sign her yearbook “man that chick can warble.” Connie attended USD for one semester on a scholarship for home economics. Connie briefly lived in Oregon and worked at JC Penny’s before marrying James R. White on June 28th, 1959 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Vermillion, SD. They lived in Vermillion and Sioux City then moved to Parker, SD in 1965 when they purchased, owned, and operated White Pharmacy until 2000. She loved to decorate the store windows, go to the market, and make sure all those dish towels from the soda fountain were “warshed.” Connie was a member of Grace Lutheran Church where she was actively involved as an original choir member, Sunday school teacher, WELCA, altar guild, quilting group, and arranging flowers. She was a member of Eastern Star Jasper Chapter #8 Sioux Falls where she had achieved her 40 year pin and became Worthy Grand Matron of the state of SD in 1991. She attended many other towns and their official visits. Connie enjoyed Daughters of the Nile, working for the Shrine Auxiliary at the circus, attending Pharmacy Wives Socials and completing many unending “mending” projects for her family. She engraved graduation towels and made wedding shower gifts. The highlight of her Saturdays for 50 years was meeting with her coffee group which they took turns hosting. Even though she hailed from Vermillion, she became an avid Jackrabbit fan sitting and braving many cold weather football games with her husband Jim by her side. In her later years she spent much of her time sending sports highlight articles to people all over the area. She treasured her role as “Grandma” to seven grandchildren and sharing their activities and interests. Grateful for sharing her life include her husband, Jim (Parker,SD), her children Jenna (Russ) (Sioux Falls,SD), and Carri (Parker,SD). Seven grandchildren, Matthew Malde, Krista Turnwall (Dennis), Brent Mowery, Kaycee Walz, Garrett Walz, Korey Walz, and Tanner White. Sisters Luella Watson (Vermillion,SD) and Wynonna Collar (The Dalles, OR), sister in law Wava Gudmunson (Battle Ground,WA) and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Preceding her in death were her son Carl, siblings; Pearl, Harlan, Lloyal, Gladys, Eunice, Lois; both her parents, in laws Noble and Mildred White, and brother in laws; Wally Watson, Matt Sorensen, Jack Brown, Don Brown, and Keith Collar. Memorials can be directed to Grace Lutheran Church or for choice by family.