Olive Kading

Olive F. Kading, 97, changed her place of residence to her new forever home on “Streets of Gold” on February 25, 2025, from Bethesda Home in Webster SD.

Olive Fae Cowan was born on the family farm near Crandall SD on March 3, 1927, along with her twin sister Orlynn to Joseph and Hazel (Crisman) Cowan. The family moved to a farm NW of Webster where Olive attended School District 103 through the 6th grade. She then attended Webster school and boarded in Webster with her twin and older sister. She graduated from Webster High School in 1945 and attended Northern State Teachers College. Upon receiving her teaching certificate, she taught at a small rural school near Pierpont SD for 3 years.

She met her future husband Robert Kading at the Webster Methodist youth group, and they dated for seven years. They were married on May 29, 1948, at the Webster Methodist Church in a double wedding with her twin sister Orlynn marrying Paul Anderson. After a brief honeymoon at Pickeral Lake, they moved to Chicago where Robert continued his Optometry degree. She supported the new marriage as a secretary at Walgreens corporate office.

When Robert graduated from Optometry College in 1950, the young couple moved to Webster where they started an Optometry practice. She spent the next 24 years raising fourboys. When this demand on her time diminished, she worked part time as the church secretary at the United Methodist Church for a number of years. She enjoyed spending time at the family cabin on Enemy Swim for 66 years. When Robert semi-retired they spent the winter months in Alamo Texas, a real treat dodging the South Dakota winters until his death in 2008.

Olive was active in ladies bridge, couples bridge, Jaycettes, Jr. Websterian, Methodist Women, golf , was a Cub Scout Den Mother, a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and PEO. She was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church in Webster where she taught Sunday School and sang in the choir. Olive was a gifted hostess with welcoming hospitality.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert, twin sister Orlynn, three sons: Steven, Jim, and Doug, and one great grandson, Charlie.

Olive is survived by son, Lynn (Sandye) Kading of Rapid City, Steve’s spouse Deb of Helotes TX and Doug’s spouse Jane Rapid City; 8 grandchildren: Jade (Jerry) Baker, Sioux Falls; Jamie (Thad) Grimsrud Brookings; David (Kristi) Kading Woodinville WA; Christopher (Ashley) Kading Springfield VA;Robert (Kelsey) Kading, Webster, Stephanie (Robert) Cahill, San Antonio TX; Benjamin (Lacy) Kading, Rapid City; Jonathan (Jessica) Kading, Rapid City and 20 greatgrandchildren – Kaleb, Aubrey, Brielle, Treven, Riley, Olivia K, Olivia C, Kinley, Paisly, Liam, Elise, Henry, Corbin, Ruthanne, Finn, Jude, Adeline, Wyatt, Myles, and Ayla and sisters, Deloris Hanson, TX and Carol Jo Walker, FL.

Visitation will be Friday, February 28, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 at Fiksdal Funeral Home.

Funeral Services under the direction of Fiksdal Funeral Services will be Saturday March 1, 2025 at 11:00 am, at Journey of Life Methodist Church in Webster. Interment will be at the family plot in Webster Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to Lynn Kading 508 S. Browning Dr., Sioux Falls SD 57106.