Ethel Cherney, 90, went to be with her Lord on May 7, 2009. Waiting for her were 3 special men, her parents, 5 brothers and a sister and numerous friends. We can only imagine the spectacular reunion.

Ethel Marion Holmvik was born to Albert and Magda (Haugen) Holmvik on September 15, 1918 in Iowa. Her mother passed away in 1920 and her father and brother Robert passed in 1928. After living at Bethesda Children's Home in Beresford for 5 years Ethel and her brother, Howard, were adopted by Fred and Marie Jacobson and lived the remainder of her life in Moody County, South Dakota. She attended Blinsmon School and Flandreau and Egan High School. Edwin Leuning and Ethel were married on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1937. They lived and farmed near Dell Rapids and then Flandreau until Ed's death on February 7, 1966. Ethel continued to live on their farm until 1972 when she married Glen Cherney and moved into Flandreau. They owned and operated Glen's Greenhouse, danced, played cards, traveled and had a wonderful life. Glen passed away on April 2, 1983, but Ethel continued to be active in the Methodist Church, UMW, Hope Circle, Athena Club, Order of Eastern Star, and was a charter member of Moody County Rustlers Extension Club. She enjoyed bowling from 1967-2006, playing pinochle and 31. Ethel enjoyed a special friendship with Virgil Amdahl. In 2005 she moved back to her farm to live with Stuart and Jeanne Benson. She lived there happily until Memorial Weekend 2007, when she moved to Riverview Manor in Flandreau. Ethel was also happy to live at the Manor and was a source of joy to many who work and care for residents there. Ethel loved music and still loved to hum and sing along with CD's. Her winning smile brought a smile and hug from almost everyone that she met. Ethel will be missed, but we look forward to a spectacular reunion one day.

Ethel is survived by 4 children, 7 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, 1 sister, 3 sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews. Waiting to see her smile again one day are her children, Jan Leuning, Mitchell,SD, Ken Leuning, Tucson, AZ, Brenda (Martin) May, Trent, SD and Jeanne (Stuart) Benson, Flandreau, SD, 7 grandchildren, Scott (Candy)Bollinger, Frisco, TX, Lori (Frank) Dailey, Blaine, MN, Mike (Andrea) May, Lombard, IL, Steve (Amy) May, Sterling, CO, Amy Schmidt, Rapid City, SD, Tracy Schmidt, Irene, SD, Kylie Benson (Ryan Rydell), Flandreau, SD; 17 great-grandchildren, John Miller, Bryant, Amanda, Hannah, Noah and Rebekah Bollinger, Ryan and Jenna Dailey, Isabel and Will May, Raenah, Nolan, Makenna and Jaren May, Tyler and Jaden Schmidt and Haley Benson; her sister, Frances Oltman, Stout, IA and sisters- in-law, Charlotte Jacobson, Flandreau, SD, Evelyn Holmvik, Oldham, SD and Violet Alberts, Dell Rapids, SD.

Funeral services will be Monday, May 11, 2009 at 10:00 AM at United Methodist Church, Flandreau with burial at Logan Reformed Cemetery, Dell Rapids. Visitation will begin at 2:00 PM on Sunday at Skroch Funeral Chapel, Flandreau with a prayer service at 5:00 PM.