LEONILLA SHEILSCHRISTOPHERSON

Leonilla ‘Lee’ Sheils-Christopherson, age 107 of Yankton, passed away Sunday, April 21, 2019 at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton. Mass of Christian Burial was Monday, April 29 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton with Father D’Cruz Nicholas officiating. Burial was in the St. Mark’s Catholic Cemetery, Lake Andes. Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. On line condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com.

Lee was born December 20, 1911 to Edward C. and Anna (Peshek) Schreiber in Wagner. She attended and graduated high school in Wagner in 1929. She then went to Chicago, IL to attend American School of Nursing for one year and met and married Joseph (Joe) Sheils November 5, 1934. While Joe was in the Army, Lee and their two children moved back to Wagner where she worked at NW Bell telephone as an operator. Joe then joined them and they moved to Pickstown and eventually ran a grocery store there and enjoyed the area so much, especially boating. After Joe's death in 1961, she then moved to Yankton in 1963 and clerked at Rexall Drugstore until retiring in her 80's.

Lee enjoyed being a member of VFW Auxillary and Merry Menders, SHH Auxillary, Benedictine Oblates and Senior Citizens Center. She enjoyed crafts and playing cards. On December 20, 1977 she married Tollof (Chris) Christopherson. Together they enjoyed traveling and especially dancing until his death in 1990.

Lee’s memory is cherished by her son, Bruce Sheils of Clinton, AK; daughter, Joann (Jo) Sheils-Sejnoha of Yankton; grandchildren: Katrina (Troy) Williams, Kelly (Tom) Munson, Dawn (Richard) List, Dina Anderson and Danielle Sejnoha; six great-grandchildren, five great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Lee was preceded in death by her four brothers and sisters-in-law: Neal (Mary), Richard (Agnes), George (Mildred), and Robert (Marge); son-in-law, Ron Sejnoha; daughter-in-law, Annetta Sheils and grandson, Kenan Sheils.