Celestine Isadore Barondeau

Celestine I. Barondeau, 90, of Aberdeen, passed away Friday, February 21, 2014, at ManorCare Health Services in Aberdeen.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 25, 2014, at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church in Onaka, SD, with Father Kevin Doyle, Celebrant. Burial, with military rites, will follow at the church cemetery.

Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Ave NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Monday, at the mortuary in Aberdeen, with a Liturgical Wake Service and Rosary being held at 7:00 p.m. Visitation continues one hour prior to Mass at the church on Tuesday.

Celestine Isadore Barondeau was born on December 9, 1923, on a farm southwest of Onaka, SD to Frank and Magdalena (Goetz) Barondeau. He graduated as Salutatorian from Onaka High School in May of 1941.

Celestine volunteered in the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) from October 24, 1941 until April 23, 1942 at the Orman Dam in Belle Fourche, SD. He then served his country in the United States Army during WWII from 1944 until 1946, where he was stationed in Fort Snelling, Minnesota, Camp Roberts, California and the Philippine Islands. After receiving his Honorable Discharge, he returned to the family farm in Onaka.

Celestine was united in marriage to Mary Engel in Hoven, SD, on September 12, 1949, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church. They made their home, raised four children and continued to farm west of Onaka until 2012, when they moved to Aberdeen to Primrose Assisted Living.

Celestine was active in the South Dakota Farmers Union, American Legion Post #270 and was a member of St John The Baptist Catholic Church in Onaka. He was also employed by the Onaka School District as a bus driver for several years.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Mary Barondeau of Aberdeen; sons: Roger (Penny) Barondeau of Aberdeen and Ronald (Deb) Barondeau of Mitchell, SD; daughter, Janet Barondeau of Aberdeen; daughter-in-law, Barb Barondeau of Escalante, UT; one brother, Frank (Rhea) Barondeau of Faulkton, SD; sister-in-law, Clara Barondeau of Aberdeen; one aunt, Rosie Ryman of Aberdeen; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Celestine was preceded in death by his parents; son, David; brothers: Joe, Emil, Lewis, Mike, and Tom; one sister, Rose Hagenlock; and one grandson, John Barondeau.