Carol A. Zephier

Memorial Service for Carol A. Zephier, 73, Aberdeen will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 2, 2011 at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 1410 North Kline Street, Aberdeen, with Father David Hussey officiating. Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Carol passed away Saturday, August 27, 2011 at Avera St. Luke's Hospital, Aberdeen. Blessed be her memory.

Carol A. Robbins was born on September 21, 1937, at Huron, SD, to William and Ida (Smith) Robbins and was the youngest of seven children. She attended school at Erwin, SD, and graduated from high school as class valedictorian in May 1955. Carol furthered her education at Yankton College where she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Education in 1959.

Carol was united in marriage to Richard G. Zephier August 18, 1958. They made their home in Yankton, SD. The following August, Carol began teaching grade school at a country school just across the river in Nebraska and also working as a Nursing Education Secretary at the State Hospital in Yankton during the summer. In 1962, the family relocated to Wakpala, SD, where Carol taught private piano lessons and was eventually hired to teach K-12 music at the school. From 1963 through 1967, the family resided in McIntosh, SD, and Carol again found enjoyment teaching piano and substitute teaching at the local school. In June of 1967, the family relocated to Mellette, SD. They continued to live there until August of 1990, when they moved to Aberdeen. Carol continued to make Aberdeen her home until the time of her death.

Carol was a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Aberdeen, where she served as the church organist for thirteen years. She enjoyed her career in music, which spanned some 48 years, along with working with her many students. She was a nationally certified teacher of music and chairperson for the National Guild of Piano Teachers. She also judged Guild auditions for several years. Carol also loved basketball, football, and softball, and watching her husband, children and grandchildren participating in sports, musical, and school activities. She also enjoyed reading, Sudoku puzzles, listening to classical music, playing the piano, researching family genealogy, cooking and baking, and vacationing in the mountains. She especially enjoyed dancing with her husband (she and Richard could really cut a rug!).

Carol will be remembered for her faith, kindness, friendship, music, wisdom, generosity, strength, her love for her family, and her love of animals - especially her many Maine Coon cats.

Carol is survived by her husband Richard G. Zephier; 3 children, Kira (Marty) LeCompte, Rick (Nichole) Zephier, and Erin (Scott Doering) Zephier, her grandchildren, Mason (Chelsea) Young, Moorhead, MN, Ashley and Whitley (Justin Lehr) LeCompte, Andrew, Adam, Nicholas, Kyla, Alexander and Arianna Zephier, all of Aberdeen, one great-granddaughter, Madison Alice Young, one great-grandson on the way, one sister, Viola Johnson, Dassel, MN, and many nieces, nephews, and sisters and brothers-in-law.

She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers, and numerous aunts and uncles.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to an account in her name at Aberdeen Federal Credit Union. Charitable donations will be made to organizations in her name.

 

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