Ione Karolevitz

Ione Karolevitz, 94, of Yankton, formerly of Tabor, passed away Friday, May 8, 2026 at the Avera Majestic Bluffs Hospice House in Yankton. Visitations will be Tuesday, May 12 from 5:00-7:00 pm with a 7:00 pm wake and rosary service at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Tabor and resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Ione’s Funeral Mass will be 10:30 am Wednesday, May 13 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Tabor. Burial will follow at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery. To view livestreaming of Ione’s Funeral Mass click this link https://server.attend.live/static/event/G6w15.

She was born to Joseph and Christine (Merkwan) Sternhagen, July 31, 1931 in Avon SD. She attended rural country school and graduated from Avon High School in 1949. She worked in the office of Gurney Seed and Nursery for 4 years in Yankton.

On May 17, 1954 she was united in marriage to Richard Karolevitz, the love of her life, at St Leo’s Catholic Church in Tyndall, SD. Together they lived on the farm Northeast of Tabor, working the crop lands and dairy farming. She also worked at the Dental Office in Tyndall alongside her daughter Kristi for numerous years. In December 1999 they retired and moved to town in Tabor.

Ione’s Catholic faith was the foundation for her life. She was a devoted member to the St. Wenceslaus Altar and Rosary Society. She enjoyed watching her children’s and grandchildren’s activities and playing with her grandchildren. In her free time she kept busy with baking and gardening.

Thankful for having shared her life are her daughters Kristi Hajek(special friend Jeff Humpal) of Tyndall, Karen (Roger) Iwansky of Columbus, NE, Jim (Lori) Karolevitz of Tabor, and Jeff Karolevitz of Tabor. 8 grandchildren: Jamie (Nikki) Hajek, Jenn (Mike) Ouverson, Justin (Angela) Hajek, Jesse Hajek, Ryan (Cassie) Iwansky, Angela (Jon) Boucher, Amanda Iwansky, Andrea (Ryan) Jennings, and also 19 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Don Sternhagen, her in laws Shirley Hroza, and Allen (Agnes) Karolevitz.

Ione was preceded in death by her parents, sister Evelyn, brothers Tom, Joe, Leo, and Ray, along with numerous sisters and brothers-in-law and many nieces and nephews.

Family requests that in lieu of flowers any memorials received will be directed to the St. Wenceslaus Tabor Cemetery or Avera Sister James future projects.