Obituary of Lucille Dayhuff

DAYHUFF LUCILLE

Lucille “Gore” Dayhuff, age 99 of Yankton, SD passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at Majestic Bluffs, Yankton, SD surrounded by her loving family. Funeral services will be at 2 PM, Monday, March 24, 2025 at the United Church of Christ (Congregational), Yankton, SD with Jerry Weber officiating. Burial will be in the Yankton Cemetery following the funeral service. Visitations will be at 1 PM, an hour prior to the service at the church. The celebration of life will begin after the services conclude at Mojo’s Third St Pizza. The Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, SD is assisting with the service details. Online condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kosteffuneralhome.com.

Lucille Gore Dayhuff was born October 29, 1925, in California Junction, Iowa to her parents Bill and Agnes Gore alongside her four siblings. She attended Missouri Valley High School in Missouri Valley, Iowa, graduating in 1942. Lucille met George “Bill” Dayhuff in grade school and they quickly became best friends and were married for 75 years. They were married in Blair, Nebraska on July 8, 1943, just shy of a year before he was drafted by the Army. Lucille attended State Teachers College in Red Oak, Iowa. She taught rural school in Iowa for three years while Bill was overseas in the Army.

When Bill returned home, he and Lucille spent a brief period of time in Omaha before they took off with thirty dollars in their pocket and drove to Los Angeles, California to pursue the American Dream. While in California, she graduated from Sawyer's School of Business in Westwood and worked as an executive secretary for a manufacturing distributor. She was also on the administrative staff in Orange County School District. Lucille and Bill were eager to start a family and after many disappointments, they were blessed with the birth of a long-awaited son, Jeff. In 1970, they moved back to the Midwest to buy an automobile dealership in Vermillion. Lucille and Bill owned and managed Dayhuff Chevrolet Oldsmobile Cadillac for ten years. Lucille was the office manager and their success afforded them the ability to travel extensively around the world. Lucille joined the Order of Eastern Star, in 1971 in Vermillion. She progressed through the line to the highest office, Worthy Grand Matron of South Dakota in 1982. Lucille and Bill sold their dealership in 1981 and moved to Yankton where she worked as an office manager at an automotive dealership for her good friend Loui Waddell and later Cliff Groseth.

Eventually, she decided to join Jeff and work in accounting as the office manager for Dayhuff Enterprises until the end of her career. Her focus then shifted to supporting and taking care of her family including her favorite granddaughter, Billi Jo who Jeff and Marti welcomed in 2002. Bill and Lucille came to every activity, event, and concert Billi Jo was ever in, cheering her on. She also loved to hop in the golf cart with Bill to watch him and Jeff golf in tournaments at Hillcrest. They were members for over 40 years. She enjoyed watching all sports whether it was the Chiefs in the Superbowl or watching her favorite Coyotes play at the Dome.  Lucille was very passionate about cooking and had the most delicious homemade family recipes. Her biggest mission was to make sure everyone was always fed, including making cakes for everyone she worked with at the office. Lucille had the purest heart and an award-winning smile that she welcomed everyone with.

Lucille is survived by her son, Jeff (Marti) Dayhuff; granddaughter, Billi Jo; and many nieces and nephews.

Lucille was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Agnes Gore; four siblings, Hugh Gore, Harold Gore, Betty Hardenbrook, and Karen White; and daughter, Kathleen Ann Dayhuff.

The most caring heart and loved by so many, Lucille will be fondly missed.

In lieu of flowers, contributions for the Bill & Lucille Dayhuff Memorial at Hillcrest Country Club may be sent to 2206 Mulberry, Yankton, SD 57078.