Olive F. Kading, 97, changed her place of residence to her new forever home on “Streets of Gold” February 25, 2025, from Bethesda Home in Webster, SD.
Olive Fae Cowan was born on the family farm near Crandall, SD March 3, 1927, along with her twin sister Orlynn, to Joseph and Hazel (Crisman) Cowan. The family moved to a farm northwest of Webster where Olive attended School District 103 through the sixth grade. She then attended Webster school and boarded in Webster with her twin and older sister. She graduated from Webster High School in 1945 and attended Northern State Teachers College. Upon receiving her teaching certificate, she taught at a small rural school near Pierpont, SD for three years.
She met her future husband Robert Kading at the Webster Methodist youth group, and they dated for seven years. They were married May 29, 1948 at the Webster Methodist Church in a double wedding with her twin sister Orlynn, marrying Paul Anderson. After a brief honeymoon at Pickerel Lake, they moved to Chicago where Robert continued his Optometry degree. She supported the new marriage as a secretary at Walgreens corporate office.
When Robert graduated from Optometry College in 1950, the young couple moved to Webster where they started an Optometry practice. She spent the next 24 years raising four boys. When this demand on her time diminished, she worked part time as the church secretary at the United Methodist Church for a number of years. She enjoyed spending time at the family cabin on Enemy Swim for 66 years. When Robert semi-retired they spent the winter months in Alamo, TX, a real treat dodging the South Dakota winters, until his death in 2008.
Olive was active in ladies bridge, couples bridge, Jaycettes, Jr. Websterian, Methodist Women, golf, was a Cub Scout Den Mother, a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and PEO. She was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church in Websterwhere she taught Sunday School and sang in choir. Olive was a gifted hostess with welcoming hospitality.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert, twin sister Orlynn, three sons: Steven, Jim and Doug, and one greatgrandson Charlie.
Olive is survived by son, Lynn (Sandye) Kading of Rapid City, Steve’s spouse Deb of Helotes, TX and Doug’s spouse Jane of Rapid City; eight grandchildren: Jade (Jerry) Baker, Sioux Falls; Jamie (Thad) Grimsrud, Brookings; David (Kristi) Kading Woodinville, WA; Christopher (Ashley) Kading Springfield VA; Robert (Kelsey) Kading, Webster, Stephanie (Robert) Cahill, San Antonio, TX; Benjamin (Lacy) Kading, Rapid City; Jonathan (Jessica) Kading, Rapid City and 20 great-grandchildren – Kaleb, Aubrey, Brielle, Treven, Riley, Olivia K, Olivia C, Kinley, Paisly, Liam, Elise, Henry, Corbin, Ruthanne, Finn, Jude, Adeline, Wyatt, Myles and Ayla, and sisters, Deloris Hanson, TX and Carol Jo Walker, FL.
Visitation was Friday, February 28, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Fiksdal Funeral Home, Webster.
Funeral service, under the direction of Fiksdal Funeral Service, was Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., at Journey of Life Methodist Church in Webster. Interment will be at the family plot in Webster Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to Lynn Kading 508 S. Browning Dr., Sioux Falls, SD 57106.