FT. PIERRE, SD –

Cora Jeffries, 92, of Fort Pierre, SD, died on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Clarkson Nursing Home in Rapid City, SD. Visitation will be on Friday, February 9, 2024, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, with a prayer service and time of sharing to begin at 7:00pm at Community Bible Church. Funeral services will be on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at 1:00pm at Community Bible Church, with burial at Scotty Philip Cemetery. A livestream of the service will be available by clicking the link below.

Cora Marie Lightfield Jeffries, was born September 25, 1931 to Ernie & Ludmily Lightfield in Racine, WI. At a young age, the family moved to Dupree, SD where she graduated from Dupree Schools. Cora was called home on Saturday, January 20, 2024, with her family by her side at Clarkson Nursing Home in Rapid City, SD. She leaves behind a life filled with loving memories, hospitality, and kindness. Her contribution to a better world included her six children – Jill, Debbie, Jim, Bob, Ron, and Melody. They recognized early on, that choosing their dad as a life partner, was one of her better decisions.

Cora and Jeff married in Pickstown, SD, on September 25, 1950, the beginning of a 60-year love story filled with ups and downs and low points that they loved their way through. In the early years, Cora was almost a single mom, as Jeff was out welding on the missiles, working on dams and bridges, and later, working on the equipment for harvesting sugar beets in ND. She and he made their living during the week, and they both made the living worthwhile on the weekends. The kids remember Capital City Dairy soft ice cream cones, occasional root beer floats, and going to Ma and Pa Kettle movies at the drive-in.

Cora was a housewife when the kids were younger, raising them while simultaneously teaching them good work ethics as she nimbly baked, did the laundry, and took care of the house, car, yard, garden, and 100 other tasks. No one remembers seeing her sit down.

One of Cora’s major contributions was her 30-plus years of teaching first graders. She made an impression on the hearts that she touched and the lives that she impacted.

In her later years, Cora fed and housed hundreds of people, including friends, relatives, and even people she didn’t know. She earned the reputation of generosity and kindness. She LOVED to play cards and graduated to duplicate bridge and party bridge as her kids graduated from school. The funny stories about her love of playing cards are legend. She instilled the ethics of “play fair, play the cards you have been dealt, and don’t bet more than you can afford to lose” – great life lessons.

Her contributions earned her the designation of Paul Harris Fellow through Rotary. She made her community a better place through Red Hatters, the Prairie Rattlers Antique Car Club, Girl Scouts, and religiously supporting, gymnastics, & her kids’ school events and activities. She had 27 great grandchildren and 17 grandchildren, including adopted, biological, and chosen. All were well-loved. She is treasured by loving caregivers, former students and colleagues, and dear friends too numerous to count. She was a gem and a blessing to all who loved her. She was blessed with a loving family who all came together for her final days.

She is survived by her children: Jill (Terry) Perfect, Deb (Ron) Dusseau, Jim (Leah) Jeffries, Bob (Julie) Jeffries, Ron (Kathy) Jeffries, & Melody (Todd) Peters, sisters-in-law Vi Lightfield & Ardath Lightfield.

She has been called home to join the saints and angels, as well as family who have pre-deceased her. Those she will meet on the other side include: husband Kenneth “Jeff” Jeffries, Great Granddaughter Nora, brother Wayne Lightfield, brother Bill & Wanda Lightfield, brother Ern Lightfield, & brother Jim & Bernice Lightfield, sister Florence & Norman Schuler, & Parents: Ludmily Amelia Docekal (mother), Ernie Lightfield (father).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Pat Duffy Community and Youth Involved Center – PO Box 215 Fort Pierre, SD 57532 or Avera St. Mary’s Kidney dialysis unit – 801 E. Dakota Ave. – Pierre, SD 57501.

1. Add to favourites
2. Report abuse