Wyonne D Walkling

Wyonne Dorene Walkling passed away peacefully into the open arms of her Heavenly Father on October 4, 2025, at the Sandhills Care Center. She was 89 years old.
Wyonne was born in Lakeview, South Dakota September 18, 1936, to Lawrence and Velma (Mundt) Markus and spent most of her life growing up and teaching in the area. She attended Todd County High School her freshman year and stayed with her Grandparents John and Mata Mundt in Mission. She transferred to the Augustana Academy in Canton, SD starting her sophomore year and graduated with her senior class in 1955. After graduation Wyonne spent the summer caravanning with other youth and teaching Bible School in Clifton, New Jersey and Pigeon Creek, Pennsylvania. While there, the pastor's wife took the team to New York City. It was a memorable opportunity for her. They climbed the stairway of the Statue of Liberty, visited the George Washington bridge, toured Central Park, Radio City, and the United Nations building. In the fall of 1955, Wyonne enrolled at Northwestern Junior College in Orange City, Iowa. She graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. Her first teaching job took her to Imlay City Christian School in Imlay City, Michigan.
Wyonne was united in marriage to John (Tim) Walkling on July 9, 1958, in the Lakeview Church. To their union four children were born, Vernon, Karla, Renae, and Karen. Together they settled in Lakeview, purchasing their current farm in 1969 and began a dairy herd which converted later to a cattle ranch. Wyonne was a very active Mother, and community member during their early years. In 1978 Wyonne continued her education and received her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education in Mitchell, SD. Teaching became Wyonne's life choice and passion, she never saw it as work but instead a blessing to enjoy. She was dedicated to teaching and guiding young minds for a better future. She taught kindergarten at Lakeview school, and first grade at Rosebud Elementary for 28 years. Wyonne received the Who's Who Among America's Teachers Award in 1999-2000, honoring our nations' most respected teachers. Wyonne was recognized for her teaching career in a special ceremony by the Todd County School District upon her retirement in 2004.
In July of 2008, Tim and Wyonne celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with family and friends at the Lakeview School. She was an active member of the Lakeview Christian Reformed church, and her devoted faith was lived each day of her life. If there was one verse she could share with everyone it would be Proverbs 22:6 "Train (teach) a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Wyonne was preceded in death by her parents Lawrence and Velma Markus, husband Tim, and sisters Relda and Sherry.
Wyonne is survived by her children, son Vernon (Marlys) of Lakeview, her daughters; Karla Jensen (Robert) from Tucson, AZ, Renae Coleman (Lonnie) from Valentine, and Karen Walkling from Omaha. She was blessed with eleven grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren. Wyonne had six siblings; Ila Vanden Berg from Michigan, Kyle Roti from Sioux Falls, John Markus from Merriman, Kim Markus from Valentine, Sherry Olson (deceased), and Relda Markus (deceased).
She was a loving and devoted wife and mother and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Funeral service for Wyonne Walkling, age 89 of Lakeview will be held on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, at 2:00 PM at the Lakeview Christian Reformed Church. A burial will follow at the Lakeview Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Oct. 9 from 6-8 PM at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines.