DRAPER, SD – Lillian Grace Seamans, 69, of Draper, SD died Saturday, February 17, 2024 at her home.

Visitation will be from 6pm-7pm on Friday, February 23, 2024 at the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Darper.

Funeral service will be 11am on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at the Draper Auditorium with a visitation for one hour prior to the service.

Burial will be in the Draper Cemetery.

Lillian Grace Hamer was born on March 15, 1954 in Chamberlain, SD to Burdette and Edna (Studt) Hamer. She grew up on the family farm south of Kennebec with 3 brothers and 2 sisters. There were lots of fond memories and funny stories of growing up. They may not have always had the best of things but they had the best of times. She was the first graduating class of Lyman High School in 1972, joking that it took her 3 high schools to graduate: Kennebec High, East Lyman, and finally Lyman County. She valued friendship and remained lifelong friends with many of her hell-raising friends from her school days.

New Years Eve 1971, she met a gentleman by the name of David (Manfred) Seamans at a dance in Vivian. They were married on August 4, 1972 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Draper. To this union two sons were born: Clint James in May of 1977 and Jason Matthew in August of 1983.

Following marriage they moved around some and Lill worked in various service industry jobs. They first lived further south where Paul Seamans now lives for a few months. They then lived in Presho, Ft. Pierre, Denver, CO, and then back to Draper. In 1976 they built their place south of Draper on the hill. Lill took great pride in their place and loved to brag about the view and how she could look down on everybody from there.

Just before Clint’s 1st birthday, he became very sick with an undetermined illness that left him paralyzed from the neck down and on a respirator. She spent several months in Sioux Falls with Clint until finally they were able to come back to Draper. She devoted these years caring for and loving Clint until his passing in February 1982.

Lill spent her years back in Draper working for a variety of places in the Jones County area. These jobs include in no particular order: Hilltop Cafe, Homeplate Lounge (Draper Bar), Buffalo Bar and Restaurant, Jones County School District, Jones County Deputy Treasurer (also ran for Jones County Treasurer), Louie’s Cafe, Anita Fuoss Law Office, and numerous other ventures. A highlight to her was getting to know so many people over the years at these jobs. She made many friendships this way.

Through the years she was very involved in her community and church. She had a strong relationship and faith in Jesus and God that carried her through the tough times in her life. She was a long-time parishioner at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, a member of the Draper Community Club, a member of the Draper Cemetery Board, Dunkel Township Treasurer, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Draper, helped deliver Meals on Wheels and an active member of the Murdo Senior Citizens Center, and always enjoyed helping others by driving them to doctor’s appointments, etc. She made some new strong friendships this way. You could also find her helping with the Draper Women’s Club (Hoboettes) organizing the carnival or serving on an election board. Another highlight was going to the elementary school once a week to listen to the kids read.

Lill and Jason enjoyed some special trips in the last few years as well, including an Amtrak train trip to Glacier National Park and Seattle, WA. Another fun trip was to Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, and the Grand Canyon with her son, brother Kenny and family. Her last out of state trip was to Texas for her nephew’s wedding in October 2022 where she kept up with her sister Bernice in doing a keg stand! As one of her best friends said, “she was a gruff, tough, funny, wonderful person.” She was a collector of everything. Her stubbornness and sometimes strong personality could either make you the best of friends or the worst of enemies. She loved spending time with her family, friends, and valued her community. She will be greatly missed!

Lillian is survived by her son Jason of Rapid City; three brothers: Charles (Susan) Hamer, Chet (Teresa) Hamer, and Kenny (Diane) Hamer, all of Kennebec; sister Bernice Klein of Gregory; numerous nieces and nephews along with her great nieces and nephews that are like her grandkids; brother-in-laws: Paul and Kurt Seamans; sister-in-laws: Joanne Seamans and Mary Kaye (Norman) Hurst. Also survived by her loving dog Dora and talkative cat Willie.

She was preceded in death by her son Clint in 1982; her husband David (Manfred) in August of 2013; her parents; sister Loretta (Hamer) Thompson; brother-in-laws: Clarence “Junior” Thompson and Jerry Klein; and niece Kayla Hamer and her son Jaxon Cook.

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