MILLER, SD – Lucille Kolda, 93, of Miller, passed away Thursday, October 17, 2024, at Faulkton Health Center in Faulkton.

Funeral Mass will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at St. Liborius Catholic Church, Polo, with Monsignor Charles Mangan, celebrant. Burial will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Polo. A wake service will be 7:00 p.m., Monday, October 21, 2024, at the church.

Lucille was born on September 19, 1931, in Bonilla, SD, to William and Helen (Cooper) Swaney and was raised on the family farm near Burdette, SD.

A 1949 graduate of Miller High School, she briefly attended hairdressing school before returning home to work at the Dew Drop Inn in Miller. On November 17, 1952, she married Verlin Kolda in Polo while he was on leave from the Army. Together, they built a life on their family farm, raising six children: Diana, Leon, Mary Ann, Milo, Ervin, and Dean. Along with farming, they owned and operated Kolda Processing in Polo.

Lucille was a devoted member of St. Liborius Catholic Church, St. Francis Band, and the St. Liborius Altar Society. She was also a proud lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary.

Her life was filled with many passions, from gardening and crafting to cooking, baking, canning, and sewing. She especially enjoyed helping on the farm, often found running the Owatonna Windrower. She and Verlin shared a love for dancing, a pastime they cherished together.

Family was Lucille’s greatest joy, and she loved hosting holiday gatherings, where playing Hearts was a beloved tradition. After moving to Miller, she became a resident of the Miller Manor, where she stayed active playing cards, dice, bingo, and working on puzzles.

Lucille will be remembered for her love of family, her strong work ethic, and the warmth she brought to every room. Her legacy of kindness, love, and service will live on in those she touched.

Survivors include her children: Diana (David) Runge of Wessington, Leon (Barb) Kolda of Polo, Milo (Debra) Kolda of Faulkton, Ervin (Tena) Kolda of Polo, and Dean (Rema) Kolda of St. Lawrence; 11 grandchildren; and 23 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Verlin; infant daughter, Mary Ann; grandson, Ryan Runge; brother, Harry Swaney; sister, Irene Swaney; and sisters-in-law, Pat (Loren) Ruzicka and Doris Kolda; brother, Harry Swaney; sister, Irene Swaney; and sisters-in-law, Pat (Loren) Ruzicka and Doris Kolda.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Lucille’s arrangements.

1. Add to favourites
2. Report abuse