CROFTON — Magdalen C. Sprakel, 100, Crofton, died Sept. 13, 2024, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, S.D.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Sept. 20, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Crofton, with the Rev. Jim Keiter officiating.

Burial will be at Beaver Creek Cemetery, rural Crofton.

Pallbearers will be Scott Zavadil, Matt Zavadil, Kyle Myers, Brandon Jones, Riley Sprakel, Joey Sprakel and Brady Sprakel.

Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Thursday, at church, from 5-7 p.m., with a Vigil Service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue Friday, one hour prior to services.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Crofton.

Magdalen Cecelia was born November 11, 1923, in Rock Valley, Iowa, to John and Mary B. (Shea) Rielly. She was not able to hear or speak so she attended a Catholic Deaf school from first grade to sixth grade in Milwaukee, Wis. This is where she first met Eugene. She then went to school in Council Bluffs, Iowa, for the school for the deaf. Magdalen began working in Sioux City, Iowa, for a dry cleaning business. She then reconnected with Eugene Joseph Sprakel at a deaf club. They were married Sept. 6, 1952, in Rock Valley, Iowa. Four children were born to this union, Robert, Mary Jean, Roger and John. Magdalen and Eugene farmed north of Crofton for many years. Eugene died Feb. 14, 2003, at the age of 84 years. She stayed on the farm until moving to Majestic Bluffs, Yankton, in 2015.

Magdalen was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and its Ladies Guild. She communicated with her children, and others who knew sign language, her entire life. She kept active and attended the Crofton Church Bazaar even last weekend. She enjoyed spending time doing many puzzles over the years.

Magdalen is survived by her three children, Mary Jean (Terry) Zavadil, Menominee; Roger (JoAnn) Sprakel, Crofton; John Sprakel, Crofton; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Mary Rielly; husband, Eugene; son, Bob Sprakel; great-grandson, Bentley Rethwisch; a sister, Evelyn Rielly; and two brothers, Robert and Jack