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Valene Peraultof Kadoka, South Dakota, died on Tuesday, December 23, 2014
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Valene Marie Riggins was born October 25, 1932, on the family ranch on Bear Creek, outside of Wanblee, South Dakota, the youngest girl and 10th of the 11 children born to Floyd and Marie (Dugan) Riggins. She grew up in the Badlands, and attended the Garner School. After 8th grade, she moved into Kadoka and worked at the Pearl Hotel, while she went to high school and stayed with Ms. Solon. She graduated in 1951, and attended Black Hills Teachers College where she received her teaching certificate. She stayed with her parents in their home on Bear Creek, and started teaching at the Garner School, where Valene had attended as a child. It was in high school she met her sweetheart, Bud Perault, and they remained together throughout their educational years.
Valene was united in marriage to Bud Perault on December 31, 1954, in Kadoka. They moved to San Diego, California, as Bud was enlisted in the Navy. After his honorable discharge, they returned to the Stamford area, and lived in his parents’ bunkhouse. In May of 1956, they moved to their current home, where their children were born and they have since resided.
Valene continued her teaching career as a substitute teacher in the Belvidere School, as well as a Sunday School teacher for many years. Valene loved all aspects of art, painted in oil and drew pictures, an excellent seamstress, and a member of the Belvidere Art Club. She kept busy doing chores, feeding calves all winter long, along with dogs, cats, and always had chickens. As Valene’s time on the ranch grew, her love for the ranch and the animals on the ranch grew as well.
Bud and Valene enjoyed traveling, and enjoyed attending Bud’s Navy reunions, the last one being in Branson, Missouri. They have maintained many quality friendships over the years from the reunions. Their last big trip they took was to Hawaii for their 50th Anniversary. She was proud of her Irish heritage, and looked forward to St. Patrick’s Day.
Valene was involved in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren’s lives until the end, and was always known as "Grandma Muggy". She was a true believer in education and instilled that belief into all of her children and grandchildren. Valene made sure that the girls took piano lessons, paying for all the lessons and books. The memories the girls had of piano lessons, and the french fries and coke, afterwards, are priceless.
Survivors include her husband Bud Perault of Belvidere; one son Michael Perault and his wife Marlene of Belvidere; one daughter Dawn Perault Amstutz and her husband Tim of St. Paul, Minnesota; six grandchildren Melissa VanderMay (Matt) of Long Valley, John Riggins (Jenny) of Ellsworth, Kansas, Coleen Sprecher (Patrick) of Brandon, SD, Laney Waln (Joe) of Martin, Lesa Perault of Rapid City, and Bert Perault of Belvidere; 14 great-grandchildren; two sisters Faye Eisenbraun of Kadoka, and Cloreta Eisenbraun of Kadoka; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Valene was preceded in death by her parents; seven brothers Cecil, Rex, Lynden, Jerry Lee, Wayne, “Tuffy” and Harold E. Riggins; and one sister Ercell Albin.
Visitation was held 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, December 28, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Kadoka.
Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 29, at the Belvidere Community Church with Pastor Gus Craven officiating.
Interment will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, at the Kadoka Cemetery.
FUNERAL SERVICES
Monday, December 29, 2014 - 10:00 a.m.
Belvidere Community Church
Belvidere, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Gus Craven
MUSIC
Syd Iwan - Pianist
- Vocalist
“My Life Flows On In Endless Song”
Congregational Hymns
“Just As I Am”
“A Closer Walk With Thee”
USHERS
Jim Willert - Mike Blom - John Dolezal
Brad Larsen - Tom DeVries
PALLBEARERS
Gary Letellier - Jim Addison
Craig Coller - Frank Carlson
Baxter Badure - Mark Carlson
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All people that helped with the search and rescue at the ranch, and all those that stopped by, brought food, called, or said a prayer for Valene and her family.
INTERMENT
Monday, December 29, 2014 - 1:00 p.m.
Kadoka Cemetery
Kadoka, South Dakota
Visitation: 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, December 28, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Kadoka.
Funeral services: 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 29, at the Belvidere Community Church.
Graveside services: 1:00 p.m. Monday, December 29, at the Kadoka Cemetery following the luncheon at Belvidere.