Barbara Korstjens

Barbara Korstjens, age 67, of Milbank, SD, passed away on Thursday, October 29, 2020, at Milbank Area Hospital – Avera Health.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank. Visitation will be held at the church on Tuesday, November 3, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a prayer vigil starting at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Father Gary DeRouchey will celebrate the Mass, and burial will be at St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery.

While maintaining social distancing guidelines, we are now able to gather for visitations and services. The use of face masks by attendees is recommended, and we will continue taking the necessary steps to keep our facility clean. For those who prefer or require continued precautions, webcasting and/or livestreaming will be viewable at this website.

Barbara Jean (DeGreef) Korstjens was born on March 5, 1953, in Milbank, SD. She was the daughter of Charles and Luella (Bohlen) DeGreef. Barb grew up on the family farm near Wilmot, SD. She attended school in Wilmot and graduated with the Class of 1971. She then attended Mitchell Vo-Tech for bookkeeping. She met and got to know John Korstjens by stopping at his service station. They eventually began dating and were married at St. Lawrence Catholic Church on June 16, 1979. They were blessed with 41 years of marriage and two daughters: Kimberly and Kristin.

Barb worked as a bookkeeper for St. Bernard’s Hospital in Milbank for about 20 years. She later worked at Bob’s TV and Appliance, which became Zem’s TV and Appliance. She did payroll for Liebe Drug for many years in addition to her regular job. She most recently worked at Valley Office Products. She was a diligent worker, always going above and beyond her duties. She was looking forward to her retirement.

Barb was a wonderful cook and baker. She would sell baked goods for special occasions and was known for her delicious chocolate cake. Everybody enjoyed her cooking. She liked canning; she preserved 140 quarts of tomato juice this fall. Kristin and Haven looked forward to annual Christmas baking with her.

Barb enjoyed spending time with friends and family. She and John would play cards on Saturday nights with a group of friends. She loved playing Hand and Foot and sharing food and snacks. She enjoyed conversations with her neighbors and long phone calls with close friends. Her family was very important to her. She adored her grandchildren; they were never too big to sit on her lap! She liked playing dice and Toon Blaster with Jameson and Holden. Barb also liked to go fishing.

It was Barb’s wish to give back to others, and she was able to do that by being a tissue donor. Her gift will benefit hundreds of people and improve their quality of life.

Barb is survived by her husband, John Korstjens of Milbank, SD; daughters: Kimberly (Jordon Meier) Korstjens of Jamestown, ND; Kristin (Jared) Haskins of Brandon, SD; siblings: Don (Bernadette) DeGreef of Brookings, SD; Gery (Betty) DeGreef of Mandan, ND; Jane (Carl Lind) Degreef-Lind of Hampton, MN; Charlotte (Richard) Troska of Watertown, SD; Sheila (David) Pierce of Wilmot, SD; Ray (Jenny) DeGreef of Wilmot, SD; and Leon (Donna) DeGreef of Wilmot, SD; three grandchildren: Jameson Korstjens, have Haskins, and Holden Haskins; brother-in-law, Ray Bradberry of Watertown, SD; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her sister, Deloris Bradberry.