PIERRE, SD – Delores “Dee” Wheeler, 91, of Pierre, SD, died on Friday, February 16, 2024, at Avera Hospital in Pierre. Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Thursday, February, 22, 2024, at Isburg Funeral Chapel in Pierre, with burial at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.

Delores was born on October 24, 1932, in Sioux Falls, SD, to Edwin and Lillian Johnson. She grew up in Sioux Falls and graduated from Washington High School in May 1951.

She married Kenneth Ackerman on June 26, 1953. Kenneth died on November 13, 1973.

Delores worked at Public Finance in Sioux Falls from 1951 to 1969, when she went to work for Donahoe Clinic (Central Plains Clinic). She continued at the clinic until 1976.

She married Wayne Wheeler of Pierre on June 5, 1976. She began working at Medical Associates Clinic in Pierre in June of 1976. She continued working at the clinic until her retirement in 2007. In 2008 she began working part time at Walmart in Pierre, as a cashier for 4 years. She began selling Avon products in 2013.

Delores learned to square dance in 1965 and continued this her entire life. She and her husband, Wayne, traveled widely, visiting all 50 states, Mexico, Europe and the Caribbean Islands. They hosted a European square dance tour and a square dance cruise to the Caribbean. Delores and her husband were Round Dance instructors/cuers and taught many classes, as well as teaching at many clubs, weekends and festivals.

Delores always enjoyed camping, traveling, boating, fishing and water skiing with her family. Beginning in 2000, Wayne and Dee spent their winters in Rio Grande Valley of Texas, square and round dancing.

Delores was a member of Lutheran Memorial Church in Pierre, VFW Auxiliary, and many square dance clubs.

Survivors include her daughters: Debbie Ackerman Neuberger of Encinitas, CA, Lori Ackerman Shaffer of Rapid City, SD, Cheryl Wheeler Stoeser and husband Randy of Fort Pierre, SD, and Susan Wheeler of Rapid City, SD, grandchildren: Dustin Shaffer and wife Jess, Trevor Shaffer, Lucas Stoeser, Tracy Stoeser Frost and husband Aric, and great grandchildren: Eli Stoeser, Avry Frost, Presley Frost, Bentley Frost, Kaylie Foisel and Chloe Foisel, and one great grandson, baby boy Shaffer, on the way.

Preceding her in death are her first husband Kenneth Ackerman, her second husband Wayne Wheeler, her parents, her sister Agnes Johnson, and her son-in-law Mark Neuberger.

1. Add to favourites
2. Report abuse