Laurie N. Carmon

Laurie was born November 27, 1929, in Redfield, SD and passed away Friday, April 29, 2022, in De Smet, SD.

Born to Dewey and Marian (Miller) Grabinski, Laurie lived on a farm about eight miles west of Rockham, SD.  She attended first and second grade in the country school west of the farm.  The family moved often as Dewey worked highway construction in eastern South Dakota -  attending schools in Huron, Miller, and Sioux Falls before graduating from De Smet High School in 1947 at 17 years old.

On June 28, 1949 Laurie married Dale Carmon at the Methodist Church in De Smet.  Dale and Laurie then drove to Laurie’s parent’s home in Wessington Springs for their wedding party.  Dale’s dad, Walt, let them drive his new Fraiser car to the Black Hills for their honeymoon trip.

Dale and Laurie moved to their farm about four miles northwest of De Smet where they farmed their entire life. They raised five children, Steve, Greg, and triplets David, Diane and Dawn.   Laurie was a wonderful wife and mother, often working on the farm.  She was an excellent cook and always kept things organized all around the farm. A large garden, canning, and shooting gophers gave her joy. She enjoyed working at the De Smet Sale Barn until it closed, then at the Willow Lake Sale Barn for several years after that. Laurie volunteered at the De Smet Depot Museum, cataloging and organizing the many different artifacts, which she did like a professional. She enjoyed membership in the Red Hats and the De Smet P.E.O. Chapter as well as many card groups.

Nothing gave Laurie more pleasure than having family and friends gather at her home to play cards, celebrate special occasions, holidays, and especially the Pheasant Opener weekend; and help her with her projects. Laurie always enjoyed teasing everyone she came in contact with as noted by that lovely twinkle in her eyes. She loved music, both singing and playing her piano, and later, her keyboard. Jet skiing at the lake, fishing with the family, and being outdoors were favorite pastimes. After building a new home in the city limits, she and her fellow “Alley Cats”  often enjoyed a golf-cart ride around town in nice weather. Weather-permitting, she could be found in her golf cart picking up weeds, watering her plants and generally grooming her large yard. Laurie wore out multiple iPads playing games, taking photos and keeping in touch with friends and family.

Laurie loved her family and keeping track of her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She would often recite interesting family stories as we sat around the table as get-togethers. Laurie kept thorough records of family genealogy and treasured her many family heirlooms that she painstakingly saved.

Blessed by having Laurie in their lives are sons, Steve (Pat), Dave, Howard, SD; Greg (Sheri) Brandon, SD; daughter Diane, Minneapolis, MN; four grandchildren, Brad (Wendy) Carmon; Jodi (Darin) Eich; Miranda (Mitch) Peterson, Walker (Melissa) Carmon; great-grandchildren Hannah, Jackson, and Alayna Carmon, Peyton, Conner, Talen and Griffin Eich, Sybella, Holden, Owen, Lennox and Charlotte Peterson; Rylen Carmon, sister, Sharon (Don) Easton, brother, Tom Grabinski as well numerous nieces and nephews. Welcoming her into heaven: parents Dewey and Marian, husband Dale, daughters Dawn and Annette, a grandson; sister, Sally (Sara) Grabinski and sister-in-law, Sue Grabinski.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at United Methodist Church in De Smet. Pastor Tia Felberg will officiate. Music will be provided by Marlyce Larson as pianist with congregational singing.  The service will be live-streamed via the Crawford-Osthus Facebook page.

Visitation will be at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in De Smet on Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m.

Burial will be at the De Smet Cemetery. Pallbearers are: Brad Carmon, Walker Carmon, Darin Eich, Mitch Peterson, Kip Easton and Kirk Easton.

The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made in Laurie’s name to the De Smet Community Foundation, PO Box 42, De Smet, SD 57231.

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