Obituary of Florence Kribell

KRIBELL FLORENCE

Florence Kribell, age 105 passed away Thursday, June 20, 2024, at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, SD.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Yankton, SD with Rev. Bob Lacey officiating.  Burial will be in the St. Joseph Catholic Church Cemetery, Emmet, SD at approximately 1:30 PM Wednesday afternoon.  Visitations will be from 5 to 7 PM, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, SD with a Wake service at 7:00 PM.  Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Watch Live stream here. Online condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com.  Pallbearers will be Jerry Kippes, Larry Kippes, Tom Bickett, Dan Schaefer, Bill Schaefer, Joe Graves.

Florence was born June 25, 1918, to Thomas Kribell and Helen (Lena) McIvenna Kribell on a farm near Beresford, SD.  She was the fifth of nine children.

Florence attended a county school through the eighth grade.  She was so anxious to start school that her parents let her start first grade when she was only five years old.  She always said that she loved learning and teaching.

She attended two years of high school in Beresford. SD and then went to Mount Marty High School in Yankton, SD.  After high school she went to one Year of college in Mitchell, SD and then one year at Mount Marty College and graduated with a teaching certificate.

Florence taught in country schools in the Beresford area then in Inwood, Iowa.  Her next teaching job was in Yankton, SD where she taught until her retirement.  In all, her career as a teacher spanned 50 years.

Florence is remembered by many of her students, some who still keep in contact with her.  For her excellence as a teacher, she was awarded the honor of South Dakota Teacher of the year in 1973.  She was honored by one of her students and given an award as The Teacher Who Made the Most Difference In My Life.  Florence said that was the most important awards she received.

Florence continued her studies as she taught, going to summer school and through correspondence courses.  She earned her bachelor’s degree and her master’s degree.

All of Florence’s nieces and nephews have memories of staying with their grandparent in the summer when Florence was home with her parents on the farm.  They especially remember her wonderful fried chicken.  After she retired, she lived in her apartment Iin Yankton.  Later she lived independently at Majestic Bluffs in Yankton until moving to Sister James Care Center in 2023.

Florence was preceded in death by her parents and all her siblings and their spouses, Catherine and Arnold Bickett, Sister Ruth. OSB, Theresa and Ernest O’Connor, Thomas and Lil Kribell, Sister Blanch OSB, Betty and Anthony Kippes, Mary Ann and Joseph Birgen and Joseph and Mildred Kribell.

She is survived by her nieces and nephews.