Keva Aberle

Mass of Christian Burial for Keva Aberle, 85, of Timber Lake will be at 10 AM, MT, Friday, September 29, 2023, at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Timber Lake. Burial will be at the Timber Lake Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will start at 5 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM Thursday at the church. Keva passed away Sunday, September 24, 2023, at home in Timber Lake.
On January 23, 1938, God blessed Ed and Alice (Oltmanns) Ducheneaux with the birth of a daughter, Keva Faye Ducheneaux. She grew up on the family ranch on Virgin Creek near Promise with two older sisters (Edwina and Nellie), two younger brothers (Frank and Terry) and a special niece/sister (Kendra Jo). Keva attended her first years of school at Promise school and a Catholic boarding school for Indians at Stephan. She completed her schooling in Mobridge where she graduated in 1957.
After high school, Keva attended Nettleton School of Business in Sioux Falls. During this time, she met and fell in love with a young law student named Andrew Aberle of Trail City. Keva and Andy were married on May 27, 1959, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Trail City. They made their home in Timber Lake and started a family of five children: Steve-1960, Wayne-1961, Andrea-1963, Pat-1965, and Mike-1968.
Life for the Aberles changed forever when Keva's brother-in-law Glen Mowrer was killed, leaving Edwina with six young children to raise. While Edwina worked tirelessly raising her children, the Mowrer children spent much of the week with Keva and Andy as they attended high school in Timber Lake and took part in sports and other activities. As the years continued, still more nieces and nephews and other children from the Promise area found a weekday home with the Aberles.
The kitchen table was a gathering place for many and no one ever left Keva's home hungry or unloved. It was there she earned one of her favorite titles, "Aunt Keva". When the supply of nieces and nephews dried up, their places were filled with grandchildren and their friends who were just as welcome to stay after school while they waited for parents or activities and to join in a meal. Thus, Keva gained another favorite title, "Grandma". If there was anything God blessed Keva with, it was children-her own, those of her extended family, her grandchildren and great grandchildren and all the kids that came into her home over the years. Keva appreciated God's gifts and always saw the good life had to offer. Even when she experienced a mother's worst pain with the loss of her 19 year old son Mike on June 14, 1987, she still trusted in God beyond her sorrow. Some people say, "if you have your health, you have everything". When Keva was sick, she showed that if you have faith, you have much more. She looked forward to the day she would meet her Lord and Savior.
On September 24, 2023, God called Keva to her heavenly home to be with him, her parents Ed and Alice, her youngest son Mike, all her brothers and sisters, Edwina, Nellie, Frank and Terry, brothers and sisters-in-laws, Glen Mowrer, Vic Hollenbeck, Nancy Ducheneaux and Pink Hollenbeck. Before passing from this life, Keva promised to pray for those who will be coming after her, including her husband of 64 years, her children Steve (Donna) Aberle of Glencross, Wayne of Gillette, Wyoming, Andrea (Lester) Nielson of Rapid City and Pat (Carletta) of Trail City, 18 Grandchildren, 28 Great-Grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, sister-in-law Carol Ducheneaux, twin aunts Velda and Velma, special cousin Mary Jane Anderson and all the children who brought so much joy to Keva throughout her life.