PIERRE, SD – Doloris Volek, 87, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls.

Visitation will be from 5-7pm with a 7:00PM prayer service on Thursday, September 24, 2026 at Isburg Funeral Chapel in Pierre, SD.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00AM on Friday, September 25, 2026 at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Pierre.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery at Pierre.

Doloris Ann Walton was born on March 24, 1939, in Miller, South Dakota, to Florence (Bolton) and Ralph Walton. She was the third oldest of seven children and, for most of her childhood, the only girl among six brothers. When her youngest sibling was born she finally got a sister – who would grow to be one of Doloris’s closest and dearest friends. Growing up on the family farm, she often helped her mother care for the household—cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, and helping wherever she was needed. Doloris attended country school at Center School and graduated from Miller Highschool in 1957. Her early years helped shape the woman she would become: someone who took pride in caring for her family, keeping a home, and making sure the people around her were looked after.

Doloris married John Ryan on November 24, 1959, in Miller, SD. Together they raised their family in Miller, Highmore, and Pierre, eventually making Pierre their home in 1980. Doloris and John loved square dancing, camping, traveling, and spending time with their family. Their life together was filled with traditions and experiences that became lasting memories for their children and, eventually, their grandchildren. Following John’s death from cancer in 1996, Doloris married Cliff Volek in 1998. She moved from Pierre back to Highmore to join Cliff on his farm, where she was able to get back to her roots of farm life. They shared 27 wonderful years together until his death in 2025.

Family was at the heart of Doloris’ life. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and she had a quiet, steady way of making the people she loved feel cared for and looked after. She was traditional, strong-willed, fiercely loyal, and faithful. Doloris was a woman of deep Catholic faith. She was very active in her church, taught CCD, and was involved with Catholic Daughters. Her faith was not simply something she practiced on Sundays—it was an important part of how she lived her life and cared for others. Along with raising her family, she also was a working woman throughout her life. She worked for the ASCS office in Miller and Highmore and later worked for the State of South Dakota with the Division of Motor Vehicles in Pierre.

Her family will remember her not only for the years she shared with them, but for the countless ordinary moments that became treasured memories—her laugh, her advice, her pink petunias, her love for her farm cats, and the comfort of simply knowing she was there. She was especially famous in her family for her chocolate chip cookies—made from following the Nestle Toll House recipe on the back of the package, although somehow no one has ever been able to make them quite like she did! Some of the happiest memories her family will carry are the times spent together around holidays, camping trips, travels, and family gatherings. She was also known for worrying about the people she loved, particularly when they were traveling. If bad weather was coming, Doloris was likely to call and make sure everyone was safe and, preferably, staying home. Her concern was simply another way she showed her love.

Doloris is survived by her children, Randy (Jane) Ryan of Webster; Brad (Lorie) Ryan of Highmore; and DeAnn (Steve) Sprenger of Pierre, her stepchildren Leann (Alan) Schell of Castle Rock, CO and Shawn (Doug) LaMont of Willow Lake; grandchildren, Danielle (Dan) Burzlaff, Kristi (Ryan) Allen, Kayla (Ben) Walsh, Chelsea (Michael) Saffel, Taylor (Hunter) Riddle, and Trevor (Victorya) Ryan, and step grandchildren Taylon (Samantha) LaMont, Justin (Kathryn) LaMont and Kaitlin Hallstrom. Special step niece and nephew Brittany Geppert and Dustin Volek. Great-grandchildren – Knox, Grey, and Beck Burzlaff, Adeline and Nolan Allen, Faith Walsh, and Melody Saffell; and Step Great -grandchildren Blakely, Chace, Rowyn, Gabby, Kipp LaMont, and Lettie Hallstrom. Step great nephews Lawton and Conley Geppert. Brothers Jim, Gene, Kenny, and Gerald (Mavis) Walton, and her sister Marilyn Luscombe.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Florence and Ralph Walton; her husbands, John Ryan and Cliff Volek; her brother Richard Walton; and other beloved family members.
Doloris leaves behind a legacy of faith, family, kindness, and love that will continue through the generations she helped shape. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.

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