Lois Halley

Lois Halley, 98, Keystone, S.D., passed away Tuesday, July 21, surrounded by her family.

Lois Irene (Pennel) Halley was born Nov. 2, 1927, in Elk Point, S.D., to Kelton and Lulu (Pond) Pennel. In 1936, the family moved to Hill City, S.D. Lois attended school in Hill City, graduating in 1945. She worked at the CB&Q Railroad in Nebraska until she married James Halley IV from Keystone Nov. 4, 1945, in Broken Bow, Neb. The couple settled down in Keystone in the same house where Jim and Lois lived out their lives.

Lois was a homemaker and helped Jim at their general store, Halley Store, in Keystone. She also taught music at Keystone Grade School. In 1949, Lois began playing the organ at First Congregational Church in Keystone after her mother-in-law, Gertrude Halley, retired as church organist.  Lois was a member of First Congregational Church of Keystone, Eastern Star, Keystone Senior Center, Sweet Adeline, Ladies Aide, Extension Club and volunteered as a 4-H and Girl Scout leader and in other various community organizations. She served as Grand Organist in Eastern Star and as the church organist of her church for 70 years.  

Lois, with her brothers Warren and Bob, played music for dances in the area and for many Pennel family gatherings. There was always music in the home, with everyone singing along.

Her love of music inspired her to teach her four daughters how to sing harmony at a young age, a gift they have been able to love and share with others. Lois and her daughters performed at nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Rapid City as part of the Elder Music Program. Her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great granddaughter continue to share grandma’s love of music and were all together and singing when she took her last breath on earth.  

The last few years of Lois’s life, she was cared for by home health and hospice and by her daughters, granddaughters and special angels, Lisa W., Vanessa, Dennis and Lisa C. It was her daughters’ desire to keep her home as long as possible and with the support of family, friends and God’s grace, they were able to achieve this.

Lois is survived by her children, Jim (Delia) Halley V, Linda Halley, Donna (Jerry) Grover, Kathy Gardner and Judy (Steve) Dalton. Eleven grandchildren, Emily Halley, Scott Robertson, Brandi Kimbrough, Nicki Burke, Becki Groven (Jarod), Kelly Gardner, Kari Haynes (Colby), Kenny Gardner, Krystal Gardner (Drew), Toby Mattson and Porter Dalton (Kate). Fifteen Great-grandchildren, Chariti, Avery, Jacob, Jacie (Seth, fiancée), Cheyanne, Austin, Kyle, Cody, Kyla, Orin, Ayden, Gavin, Matilda, Lilly and Hayley, one great-great-granddaughter, Isabella. Numerous nieces and nephews and one very special sister-in-law, Gini Pennel.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jim, siblings, Erma Kreutzer, Warren, Bob, Chuck Pennel, Letah Sauer, infant brother, Glen and infant sister, JoAnne and stepsister Marceline Budgett, sons in law, Kenneth Gardner and Terry Robertson, grandchildren; Todd Mattson, Jesse Grover and Shari Mattson, great-grand daughter Jordanne Perry and a very special longtime friend, Betty Chase.

Lois loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, her family, her church family and many friends.

Visitation will be held at Kirk Funeral Home Friday, July 31, from 4-6 p.m. Her memorial service will be Saturday, Aug. 1, at 10 a.m. at First Congregational Church of Keystone, followed by burial in Mt. View Cemetery in Keystone and then a luncheon at the Keystone Community Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorials to be sent to First Congregational Church of Keystone, 402 Blair Street, Keystone, S.D. 57751 or to Monument Health Foundation PO Box 6000, 2925 Regional Way, Rapid City, S.D. 57709, with checks made payable to Hospice Care Services.

Condolences may be sent to the family through www.kirkfuneralhome.com