MILLER, SD –

Barbara J. Slunecka, 89, of Miller, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 25, 2023, at Avera Prince of Peace Retirement Community in Sioux Falls.

Funeral Mass will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 4, 2023, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Miller with Father Paul Josten, celebrant. Visitation will be 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, December 3, 2023, at Reck Funeral Home, Miller. Burial with military honors will be at Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, at a later date.

Barbara was born on August 6, 1934, in Henderson County, NC, the second child of Jesse W and Blanche Mavis (Hardin) Bell. Her mother passed away shortly after her birth and her father was a merchant marine and later a US Navy seaman during the whole of WWII. As a result, she was raised by an extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins whom she treasured to her dying day.

In 1941 her father remarried, and she was joined by half-siblings Harold, Irene (McMinn) and Judy (Harrelson). At age 17 with the encouragement of her father and stepmother Josephine, Barbara joined the US Army where she would proudly serve until her Honorable Discharge in 1955.

While in the Army she met the love of her life, an Air Force Airman Duane J. Slunecka, while both were serving in Albuquerque, NM. They married June 24, 1955, and had one son, Fredrick, while Duane wrapped up his enlistment. Together they moved to Duane’s home in north Hand County, SD where they built a farm in Alden Township in partnership with his father John, and brother Robert.

Five more children would follow to join brother Fred: Alan, James, Teresa (Schanzenbach), Leslie, and Thomas.

Barbara was passionate that her children would be well educated, and she was extremely proud that all completed post-secondary degrees. She often recounted how difficult were those first few years on the farm. The flat prairie contrasted greatly with the green Appalachian Mountains of her childhood. But through it all, she developed a great love of the land and its people and became fiercely proud to be a South Dakotan, albeit with a slight southern accent.

When not focused on her children, Barbara loved her garden and her flowers. She loved to read, complete jigsaw puzzles, and she particularly loved to bake.

With her children nearly grown, Barbara would begin a long-term employment with the Good Samaritan Home in Miller and later the Assisted Living Center. Again, her baking skills were used as she lovingly baked cookies for the facility residents. In the fall she looked forward to being a beloved hostess at the Mystic Prairie Hunting Lodge where hundreds of hunters looked forward to returning and enjoying her pheasant and carrot cake.

In 2001 Duane and Barbara moved to Miller where she would reside for over 20 years. Throughout their 61 years of marriage, Barbara was devoted to Duane until his passing in 2016. In 2022 she moved to Sioux Falls where a number of her children and grandchildren reside. Her retirement years were spent reading, doing jigsaw puzzles, and caring for her plants and gardens.

Barbara is survived by her two sisters: Irene and Judy of East Flat Rock, NC; six children: Fred (Sandy) of Sioux Falls, Alan (Jan) of Miller, Jim (Karen) of Faulkton, Teresa (David) Schanzenbach of Belle Fourche, Les (Mary) of Sioux Falls, and Tom (Robyn) of Madison Lake, MN; thirteen grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her two brothers, Jessie and Harold; and her husband, Duane.

The family requests memorials to the Hand County Library in Miller, South Dakota.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Barbara’s arrangements. Visit www.familyfuneralhome.net.

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