Carolyn Kading, 89, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, in Sioux Falls.
A visitation will be at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, at Miller Funeral Home – Downtown Chapel, 507 S. Main Ave. in Sioux Falls, with a funeral service beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the same location. Burial will follow at 11 a.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery in Sioux Falls, with a luncheon at 12 p.m. at Country Club of Sioux Falls.
Born on Sept. 17, 1937, in Benton County, Iowa, to Ervin Hennings and Bernice (Hach) Hennings, Carolyn grew up on the family farm near Elberon, Iowa. She graduated from Keystone High School in 1955, where she was salutatorian of her senior class and attended Iowa Girls State. Carolyn was a talented musician who played drums as well as the accordion. One of her highlights was performing at Soldier Field with legendary singer Al Jolson. Additionally, she sang in both a chorus and a quartet. She married Russell Kading on Jan. 4, 1958, and together they had three children. Carolyn worked for the telephone company (AT&T, Qwest) in Iowa City, Iowa, Vermillion and Sioux Falls for 31 years before retiring.
Carolyn was known for her devotion to her family. She served for years as the keeper of family history and was an avid scrapbooker. She was an accomplished seamstress who sewed a great deal of clothing for her family. She generously gave her time to others, delivering meals through Meals on Wheels and picking up litter along Interstate 90 in the 1990s.
She was a devoted Iowa Hawkeyes and Dallas Cowboys fan. In her free time, she loved flowers and lawn care and never missed a chance to attend her children's and grandchildren's sporting events. Every year, she decorated the inside and outside of her home with elaborate Christmas light displays for all to enjoy.
Carolyn is survived by her sons, Scott (Lori) Kading of Sioux Falls and Shane (Gladi) Kading of Krugerville, Texas; her daughter, Shawn (Pat) Costello of Sioux Falls; her grandchildren, Kilee (Trevor) Lorenz of Elkhorn, Neb., Kelsey (Michael) Haas of Prior Lake, Minn., Tarah (Billie) Fernandes of Collinsville, Texas, Lucas (Mary) Kading of Arroyo Grande, Calif., Seth (Aliyah) Kading of Aledo, Texas, JP Costello of Charlotte, N.C., Meredith Costello of Seattle, and John Costello of Wichita Falls, Texas; and six great-grandchildren, Emme, Olive, and Penn Lorenz, Caden and Wrenley Haas and Sawyer Fernandes; her brother, Bill (Barb) Hennings of Fairfax, Iowa; her sisters, Charlene (Dale) Holst of Knoxville, Iowa, and Brenda O’Neill of Fairfax.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ervin and Bernice Hennings, and her sister, Yvonne Kuch.
Carolyn's legacy of family devotion, creativity and quiet generosity will be remembered by all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Feeding South Dakota or Meals on Wheels.
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