Cover photo for Lucille "Luci" Whiting's Obituary
Lucille "Luci" Whiting Profile Photo
1941 Lucille 2022

Lucille "Luci" Whiting

March 3, 1941 — June 10, 2022

Milbank. SD

Lucille "Luci" Whiting, age 81, of Milbank, SD, passed away on Friday, June 10, 2022, at Avantara - Milbank Nursing Home.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 16, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Rev. Melanie Reiners will officiate the service and interment will be at Milbank City Cemetery.

The service will be livestreamed and recorded and will be viewable at the bottom of this page.

Lucille Edith Whiting was born on March 3, 1941, at home, on the farm in Grant County, SD, to Ralph and Hildagarde (Ehlebracht) Whiting. She attended school in Milbank and graduated from Milbank High School with the Class of 1959.

Following graduation, Luci moved to Minneapolis, MN, and worked for a couple as a nanny for a short period of time. She got a job at Pillsbury Corporation in Minneapolis where she worked for 33 and half years. Luci broke the gender barrier in 1972, becoming the first female to enter the marketing ranks within the Pillsbury company which was known as Prepared Dough Products back then. With paper, pencil, and adding machine in hand, she helped create the first business forecasting methodology and capability. Luci also became the first Space Management Analyst ever at Pillsbury in 1979. She retired on July 31, 1996, and returned to her hometown of Milbank.

Upon moving back to Milbank, she enjoyed spending time with her family and at her cabin on Big Stone Lake. She was an active member in the Lion’s Club, helped with the Snow Queen contest, and was a member of the Centennial Study Club. Luci was a joy to be around and made so many friends. She lived life as if every day was a special day.

Luci was a very independent lady. She did so many of her own Do-It-Yourself home improvements: from wallpaper to crown moulding, she did it all! Luci was also an avid seamstress, making many of her own clothes, coats, and many bags. She enjoyed doing needlework and keeping her hands busy. Luci would sew, quilt, and cross stitch many beautiful projects. She also enjoyed her flowerbeds and gardening. Her yard and patios were always filled with so much vibrant color.

Left to cherish her memory are her sisters: Luella Laskowske of Milbank, SD; Lorretta (Myron) Maass of Watertown, SD; and Linda (Gary) Rethke of Milbank, SD; brother, Roger (Sandy) Whiting of Maurice, IA; sisters-in-law, Sandi Whiting of Altus, OK; and Mary Jo Whiting of Milbank, SD; brother-in-law, Dennis Unzicker of Milbank, SD; along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Luci was preceded in death by her parents; sisters: Lila Dornbusch and Lois Unzicker; brothers: Roy Whiting and Ralph Whiting; nephews: Bob Laskowske, Wayne Laskowske, Kenneth Dornbusch, and Jason Whiting; niece, Conni Dornbusch; and brothers-in-law, Delmer Laskowske and Dale Dornbusch.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Thursday, June 16, 2022

9:30 - 10:30 am (Central time)

Get Directions

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Funeral Service

Thursday, June 16, 2022

Starts at 10:30 am (Central time)

Get Directions

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Interment

Thursday, June 16, 2022

Starts at 11:30 am (Central time)

Milbank City Cemetery

, Milbank, SD 57252

Get Directions

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Guestbook

Visits: 57

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send a Card

Send a Card