Iola May (Ragan) Labahn was born on December 1, 1917 on the homestead north of Lucas, SD to Claude and Nora (Swift) Ragan. Iola passed away in her sleep on July 10, 2008 at the Good Samaritan Village in Sioux Falls, SD. At the age of 90 years, 7 months, and 9 days. Iola grew up on her parent's farm and enjoyed helping her father do chores. She was the oldest of nine children and was kept busy helping her mother cook and care for her siblings. Iola cooked for her neighbors during thrashing times. Maybe this was the beginning of her passion for baking and cooking. She graduated from the 8th grade at the South Gray School. In her teen years Iola lived with her step-sister Jo (Ragan) Weaver in Des Moines, IA and worked as a nanny. She then returned to SD as she was needed at home to help on the farm. Later on she worked for the National Youth Association in Burke, SD. Iola use to share stories with her children about sneaking off to barn dances with her cousin Gladys Ragan. She loved to dance and especially with a certain young man who she thought was the best dancer in the county. He swept her off her feet and asked her to marry him. On March 11, 1938, Iola married Vernon (Bus) Labahn at the Baptist Parsonage in Burke, SD. To this union ten children were born. They first lived in Merrill, IA for almost a year and during this time Bus and Iola helped his father farm. They moved back to SD, near Lucas and farmed for three years. Then relocated to Burke, SD where Bus drove a cattle truck for several years while Iola stayed at home raising their family. In 1953 they moved to Gregory and then in 1958 they bought the Tasty Shop. They opened the caf with $5.00 in change and turned the Tasty Shop into a successful business. In 1963, Bus and Iola purchased the Burke Hotel and Caf and ran this business jointly until Buss's death in 1973. Iola continued to operate the business with her family until 1984 when she retired. Iola took great pride in preparing baked goods and meals. People came from far away places to enjoy Iola's homemade pies and rolls. Iola often held family gatherings at the caf and at times there could be anywhere from 30 to 50 people there. You could be sure there was one or two games of canasta played at these family gatherings as this was one of Iola's favorite card games. It could be said that Iola started the first Gregory County Soup Kitchen and Homeless Shelter. She would never turn down someone who needed a meal or a place to stay. She would put together care packages with the left over food from the caf for less fortunate families in the Burke area. Iola's time was dedicated to hard work and her family. She seldom had time for church or other activities; however, she lived a Christian life. Iola made an impact on so many people's lives; she will be remembered forever and deeply missed. She is survived by her nine children; Barbara Sanders of O'Neil, NE, Gene (Patti) Labahn of Springfield, MO, Judy (Verlon) Hoffman of Butte, NE, Kay Grim of Grand Forks, ND, Connie (Jimmy) Moore of Springfield, MO, Patty (Jim) Kuchta of Sioux Falls, SD, Roger (Melody) Labahn of Tempe, AZ, Cindy Zeeb and fianc Troy Binde of Watertown, SD and Janet Hanson of Sioux Falls, SD. Also happy to have shared her life are her 26 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren, 4 step great grandchildren, 6 sisters; Helen (Ronald) Labahn, Inez Van Landuit, Joyce Nitz, Frances (Bobby) Joines, Carol (Clarence) Raschke and Betty (Curt) Hight, 2 sisters-in-law; Betty Lou (Don) Bauerly and Mary Jane (Shorty) Schindel. Iola was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Vernon; her son Darwin Lyn; one son-in-law Robert Sanders; one sister Dorothy Labahn and her husband Virgil (Jack); one brother Donald Ragan. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 2:00 PM at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke. Burial was in the Graceland Cemetery, Burke, SD. Visitation was on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke.