Freelan O. Aune

Freelan O. Aune, age 94, of Mission Hill, South Dakota, died Wednesday, February 19, 2020, at Avera Sr. James Care Center in Yankton, South Dakota. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM on Monday, February 24, 2020, at Trondhjem Lutheran Church in Volin, South Dakota, with Pastor Mark Ostrem officiating. Burial will be in Trondhjem Lutheran Cemetery in Volin with military honors provided by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post No. 791. Visitation is from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Sunday, February 23, 2020, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Rodney Aune, Jerad Rokusek, Justin Rokusek, Ryan McManus, Chad Aune, Matt Aune, and Tanner Fromm. Freelan O. Aune was born April 16, 1925, in Volin, South Dakota, to Oscar and Alma (Rude) Aune. He grew up on the farm near Volin and attended West Prairie Country School. He continued to work on the farm and married Janice Thomsen on November 18, 1944 in Yankton. In 1945, Freelan was drafted into the United States Navy and served his country during World War II aboard the USS Wyoming. After the war, Freelan and Janice moved to their farm near Mission Hill where he would spend the next 73 years. While working on the farm, Freelan also worked part time for the Army Corps of Engineers, nights in the dairy at the State Hospital and at Gurneys. Freelan retired from farming at the age of 92. He was a member of Trondhjem Lutheran Church, the Old Iron Association as well as a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge, Moose Lodge and the Yankton VFW. He loved being on the farm and loved being on his John Deere tractors. He enjoyed playing cards, dancing, tinkering in his shed and going for rides around the countryside. He would do anything for anyone and loved having a good time, often times being the last one to leave. Survivors include his wife of 75 years, Janice Aune of Mission Hill, South Dakota; son, Douglas (Marcia) Aune of Loveland, Colorado; four daughters: Pam (Norman) Rokusek of Yankton; Marsha (David) Heckenlively of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Joyce (Dennis) Meyer of Winner, South Dakota; and Candace Fromm of Pittsburgh, Texas; two daughters-in-law: Karen Aune of Volin and Arletta Aune of Rapid City, South Dakota; 16 grandchildren; 33 great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; sister, Avis Christensen of Tyndall, South Dakota and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons: Gerald and Steven Aune; daughter, Monica Cooke; son-in-law, Dale Cooke; great granddaughter Halo Rose; and brother, Alton Aune.