Zona Irene May

Zona May, age 79, of Interior, South Dakota, died on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at her home near Interior.

Zona Irene Fanning was born June 8, 1943, in Vetal, South Dakota, the youngest of four daughters born to Cecil and Frances (Mone) Fanning. She grew up on a ranch outside of Vetal, and attended England Grade School in Vetal, before attending Bennett County High School. When she was a cheerleader, she met a football player, Larry May. It wasn’t long before they were united in marriage, on July 27th, 1960, in Pierre.

They made their home 21 miles south of Interior all their married life; and to this union were born four children Bertt, Tonnie, Renae, and Jacob. In her younger years, Zona taught Vacation Bible School in Vetal for a number of years. She enjoyed gardening and taking care of all her animals. She attended church every Sunday and was the best mother a child could ask for. Zona was a very modest Christian lady.

Survivors include her husband of 63 years, Larry May; four children Bertt May and his wife Suzanne of Interior, Tonnie Fetter and her husband Duaine of Piedmont, Renae May of Rushville, Nebraska, and Jacob May of Interior; five grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a sister Della Trimble of Alliance, Nebraska, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Zona was preceded in death by her parents Cecil and Frances Fanning; and two sisters Wilma Fanning as a child, and Verla Ninas; a brother-in-law Roy Trimble; a niece Linda Eli; and a nephew Fred Alabaugh.

Graveside services will be held 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 28, at the May Family Cemetery southwest of their home. The family welcomes everybody to the Green Valley Fire Hall at 12:30 p.m. to join in the procession to the cemetery at 1 p.m.

After the graveside services, all are welcome back to the Green Valley Fire Hall for a time of fellowship and luncheon.

A luncheon will follow at the Green Valley Fire Hall in Potato Creek.

Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.