Funeral Service for Cleo Wegleitner, 73 of Sisseton, SD will be held on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 2:00 PM at the Grace Lutheran Church, Sisseton, SD with Rev. William Schruba officiating. Organist will be Marcia Peterson and Duet by June Evenson and Vivian Hove. Pallbearers will be Eric Aas, Cully Simon, Jim Freudenthal, Scott Sampson, Curtis Dahl and Herman Wegleitner. Interment will be in the Sisseton Cemetery, Sisseton, South Dakota. There will be visitation on Friday, December 17, 2010 from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and one hour prior to the funeral at the church on Saturday. Cleo Rene Larson was born in Day County, South Dakota on November 1, 1937, the youngest daughter of Louis and Sadie (Lavachek) Larson. She attended grade school and graduated from Sisseton High School in 1955. Except for a short stay in California, Cleo lived in Sisseton her entire life. After high school Cleo went to work in the office of the Farmers' Union Cooperative. She was united in marriage to Milton Aas. To this union, two children were born, Lori Kay and Greg.
Cleo began a long career with Northwestern Bell Telephone working as a representative in the front office of their Sisseton location for more than 23 years, attaining Pioneer status. Following her work there, she became an employee of the Sisseton Tekakwitha Center in 1983, assisting patients and their families with admissions and social services.
Cleo was united in marriage to Francis Wegleitner on September 3, 1971 in Watertown, SD. They enjoyed many happy years together until Francis passed away on December 22, 2002.
Cleo was a long time member of Grace Lutheran Church and Ladies Aid in Sisseton. When her children were younger, Cleo sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and helped with confirmation suppers. Her interest in education led her to run and be elected to the Sisseton School Board, serving for several years. Cleo was a member of the Fort Sisseton VFW Auxiliary #3342.The family maintained a lake cabin on Clear Lake in earlier years, where they spent many happy summer weekends and evenings. She was an excellent musician, often playing by ear, and giving piano lessons in her home. She was a part of the Sisseton Centennial Band in 1992, playing the drums and traveling around the area to perform in parades and events.
In 1992 Cleo accepted a part-time position in the Sisseton office of the South Dakota Department of Social Services. She worked most closely with clients in the aging program. In June of this year, Cleo officially made the decision to end her long working career by retiring from this job. She was still trying to adjust to retirement! She enjoyed spending more time with her devoted cat, "Yahtzee."
Cleo took an interest in everyone she met. She was happy and outgoing and full of fun and laughter, frequently telling jokes and stories, remembering events and people from way back when! She enjoyed playing cards, bridge, May I, cooking, and getting together with family and friends. We will sorely miss her and the brightness and caring that she brought to our lives. Cleo passed away peacefully on Monday, December 13, 2010, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen, SD. She had been in declining health over the past year.
Cleo is survived by one son, Greg (Stephanie) Aas of Aberdeen, SD; two sisters, Lorraine Sampson, of Sisseton, SD and Vera Schiefelbein of Pierre, SD; three special grandchildren, Eric Aas, Holly Miller and Cully Simon, four great-grandchildren, and a host of friends and relatives who treasured her.
Cleo was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Francis, and in 2006 her beloved daughter Lori Kay.