Obituary of Aves Rose Sejnoha

Sejnoha, Aves Aves Rose Sejnoha, age 75, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, September 18, 2016 at her home in Yankton, SD. Private family burial of her cremated remains will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Yankton, SD. Online condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com. Aves Sejnoha was born May 26, 1941 in Mitchell, SD to Zacharias and Martha Teresa (Halstead) Zachariasen, the last of nine children. She married her high school sweetheart Larry Sejnoha on February 15, 1958 Lake Andes, SD. In their 54 years together, they were blessed with 4 daughters and one son. In 1958 they lived in a trailer in Springfield, SD as their first home before moving to Bridgewater, SD. Their first daughter, Terri was born in Freeman, SD. They then moved to a farm in Letcher, SD where their daughter, Peggy, was born in 1959. They moved back to Bridgewater, SD for one month. The family then moved to Winner, SD where Tammy was born in 1961. In August 1961, Larry enlisted in the National Guard. Aves moved back to Lake Andes in October, 1961 with her daughters and moved in with her father until Larry returned from active duty. They were then stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas where in 1962 their daughter, Melanie was born. Aves and Larry moved to Fort Gordon, GA where she worked at the Mulberry Biscuit Company in the cafeteria. They then moved back to Fort Riley, Kansas. Aves and Larry lived in many states and overseas, spending 2 years in Turkey, 2 years in Thailand where in July 1971, they adopted their son, Larry D. Jr. In 1972 they returned to the United States, then spent eight years in Germany. They returned to Sierra Vista, AZ where he retired in 1984. While in Arizona, Aves worked as a Budget Analysis for CSLA. In 1995, Aves and Larry began an RV dealership near Yankton, SD with their youngest daughter and her husband. Aves and Larry retired in 2000, traveling the United States camping. Aves had a passion for sewing of which she made two of her daughters’ wedding dresses and many clothes for her children through junior high. She loved her lunch outings with special friends, Corinne Ditmar and Geri Healy. She also enjoyed time with friends, Roni Trezona and Ana Bailey. Aves also had a love for dogs. Aves spent her final years volunteering at The Center, Avera Sacred Heart, Majestic Bluffs, Sacred Heart Church and Experience Works. Aves is survived by 4 daughters: Terri (Lynn) Behl of Parkston, SD, Peggy (Kerry) Johnson of Sierra Vista, AZ, Tammy (Doug) Matuska of Yankton, SD and Melanie Higdon of Eugene, OR and a son, Larry D. Sejnoha, Jr. of Denver, CO; 11 grandchildren: Christina Preston, Amanda Preston, Rick (Ashlee) Preston, Dean (Carly) Preston, Matthew Walter, Jr., Brent Johnson, Lori Lee Matuska, Joseph (Michelle) Matuska, Veronica (Ed) Capiak, Michael and Chandra Ewing and Michael Foulk; 7 great-grandchildren: Selena, Evan, Shiloh, Mackenna, DeLaney, Aubree, Kaden and Lilly; brother, Leo (Joan) Zachariasen of The Dalles, OR and sister-in-law, Thelma Zachariasen of Freeman, SD; Aves was preceded in death by her husband, Larry, her parents and 7 brothers and sisters. Memorials may be directed to the Heartland Humane Society, 3400 East Highway 50, Yankton, SD 57078.