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Zola Mae Ashley, 92, of Wessington Springs, SD, formerly of Kimball, SD passed away Friday, September 9, 2016 at Weskota Manor Avera, Wessington Springs. Funeral Services will be 2:00 P.M. Thursday, September 15, 2016 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Wessington Springs. Graveside Services at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Wessington Springs will be at a later date. Visitation will be held at the church from 12:00 – 2:00 P.M. prior to services on Thursday.

Zola Mae Hawk was born on August 19, 1924 to Frank W. and Chlora C. (Bourne) Hawk in Jerauld County, SD. She attended country grade school, Wessington Springs High School and went on to trade school in Pierre, SD. On October 1, 1943 Zola was united in marriage to Henry Lyle “Hank” Stulken at the United Methodist Church in Wessington Springs, SD. They made their home in Wessington Springs and to this union their son, Bruce was born. In 1954 they relocated to Kimball, SD where Zola was employed at the Kimball Livestock Café, the Kimball Hatchery and the Paragon before starting her own painting and wallpapering business. They were together for over 40 years until Hank’s passing on May 29, 1984.

On November 19, 1988 Zola was united in marriage to Garnard Moreland Ashley at Kimball Protestant Parish. They made their home on his family’s Century Farm and she expanded her family with the addition of his two sons, Todd and Tucker. They were together for more than 20 years until Garnard’s passing on February 19, 2009.

Zola enjoyed creating beautiful paintings and ceramics, bowling and hosting large dinner parties for family and friends. She was a member of the Tuesday Sues Extension Club in Wessington Springs and the Kimball County Extension Club. Garnard and Zola were one of the founding directors and organizers of the South Dakota Tractor Museum in Kimball.

Grateful for having shared in Zola’s life: her son, Bruce (Gay) Stulken of Miller, SD; two stepsons: Tucker (Crystal) Ashley and Todd (Shirley) Ashley both of Kimball, SD; a foster daughter, Judy (Robinson) Gaulke of Gann Valley, SD; three grandchildren: Kevin, Kristina and Henry; seven step grandchildren: Jeff, Heather, Gary, Ashley, Niki, Jamie, Carsten and Rema; several great grandchildren; two brothers: George (Joann) Hawk of Tekamah, NE and Max (Jane) Hawk of Yankton, SD; a sister, Audree (Dwayne) Edwards of Wessington Springs, SD; along with many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews , and great grand nieces and nephews.

Zola was preceded in death by: two husbands: Henry “Hank” Stulken and Garnard Ashley; her parents, Frank and Chlora Hawk; six siblings: James, Bruce, Ruth, Jean, Lila and Claude; and a stepson, Rodey (Sandy) Bullis.

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