Frances Terkildsen, 83, of Kadoka, died on Sunday, April 5, 2020, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.

Live streaming will be available for the graveside service so you can watch the service if you do not wish to attend in person. A come and go viewing will be held from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 10, at the Kadoka Cemetery with Father Gary Oreshoski officiating.

Frances Irene Nemec was born Jan. 14, 1937, in Pierre. She was the sixth of 17 children born to Edward and Elizabeth (Puryear) Nemec. She grew up in rural Midland, attending Phoeba rural school before attending Midland High School. Frances graduated from Midland High School in 1955.

She worked as a teacher in various country schools in the Four Corners area. She later started teaching at Plainview Rural School in Washabaugh County. It was there that she met Raymond L. Terkildsen. They were married Nov. 18, 1966, in Martin. After their marriage, they made their home south of Wanamaker in southeast Washabaugh County. She taught at Long Valley for several years, then taught at Prairie View rural school, south of Norris. She substitute taught in the Kadoka School District before teaching in Interior. She remained there until retiring after over 30 years of teaching. She played softball in the South Dakota Senior Games.

In retirement she loved to travel with relatives, taking bus trips and cruises. She took pride in embroidering baby blankets for nearly every one of her grandchildren. Throughout her life she made several wedding cakes for her sons, daughters, nieces and nephews.

Frances was a longtime member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church of Kadoka.

She is survived by five sons, Joseph Handrahan of Kadoka, Paul Handrahan of Arapaho, Okla., Rock Terkildsen of Kadoka, Grant Terkildsen of Alpena, and William “Bill” (Naomi) Terkildsen of Woonsocket; two daughters, Aletta Salganek of Albuquerque, N.M., and Barbara Dundas of Parkston; 29 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren; her Japanese daughter (foreign exchange student), Tomomi Sawai; five brothers, Benjamin (Kathy) Nemec of Highmore, Joseph (Evie) Nemec of West Des Moines, Iowa, Leo (Betty) Nemec of Little Fork, Minn., Anthony (LaVon) Nemec of Gillette, Wyo., and Michael (Susan) Nemec of Midland; five sisters, Pauline (William) Bruce of Hayes, Christine Ryan of Tolna, N.D., Audrey (Gene) Jones of Midland, Bernadette (Dick) Knox of Highmore, and Rita Foreng of Sioux Falls; a sister-in-law, Glenda Nemec of Bristol; and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond in 1998; her parents; two brothers, Edward (Barb) Nemec, Jr. and Mark Nemec; five sisters, Nora (Chuck) Wyman, Sister Edna Nemec, Wynn (Art) Bergeson, Elizabeth “Betty” (Lloyd) VanderMay, and a sister in infancy, Mary Ann Nemec.