Alaca Dean Christman, 92, formerly of Redfield, SD, passed away at 1:15 p.m. on December 25, 2023, at Good Samaritan Home in Scotland, SD.

   Alaca’s services will be held on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at Redfield Wesleyan Church in Redfield. Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with family present to accept condolences.  Friends and family are invited for a come-and-go lunch between 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.  There will be a time of sharing service at 12:30 p.m. followed by her funeral service at approximately 1:00 p.m.  Pastor Adrian Timmons will officiate.  A procession to the cemetery will leave at 2:00 p.m., and Alaca will be laid to rest at 3:00 p.m. at the St. Lawrence Cemetery in St. Lawrence, SD.

   If desired, memorials may be directed to Redfield Wesleyan Church (38519 174th Street, Redfield, SD, 57469).

   The funeral service will be live-streamed on the funeral home’s website below Alaca’s obituary.  Hyke Funeral Home (www.hykefuneralhome.com) of Redfield, has been entrusted with arrangements.

   Alaca was born in St. Lawrence to Everett and Hilma (Harris) Williams on July 15, 1931.  She married Renold “Ren” Christman on August 21, 1949.  He preceded her in death on September 30, 2021.

   Surviving are her children:  Gerald (Linda) Christman of Bloomington, IL, Barbara Koupal of Tabor, SD, Melvin (Cinda) Christman of Parkston, SD, and Julia (Jerry) Fischer of Mitchell, SD; twelve grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, three sisters, one brother, one son-in-law, and one grandchild, and one great-grandchild.

   Alaca was the oldest of nine children, living on a farm north of St. Lawrence.  After graduating from high school, she enrolled at Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD, where she received her teaching certificate.

   Ren and Alaca lived most of their married lives in Redfield, where Alaca stayed busy caring for their four children and supporting their family.  Alaca opened one of the first private schools for students with special needs. She was an entrepreneur running her own health food business.

   In 1959, Ren and Alaca purchased a lot at Cottonwood Lake and began building their dream home.  Alaca’s passion for teaching extended beyond the classroom instructing generations of family to swim, waterski, and fish. She enjoyed all aspects of living at the lake and hosting family celebrations, especially the Fourth of July. Everyone enjoyed her famous fried fish, smores, and iron campfire pies.

   After retirement, Ren and Alaca lived at the lake during the summer and spent thirty winters in Edinburg, TX.  When at the lake, Alaca enjoyed reading, listening to the martins, and calling in orioles for grape jelly treats.  Alaca was an enthusiastic artist and enjoyed painting, card making, crocheting, and wood carving.

   Alaca loved children and was a leader in the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.  She taught Sunday School and served as a youth counselor for the church. She lived out her faith on a daily basis.  Anyone that met her knew how much she loved the Lord. She showed the love and compassion of Jesus to everyone she encountered.   She was a role model, providing comfort and guidance and making an impact in the lives of those around her.  Alaca became a second mother to many of her nieces and nephews.

   She loved Jesus and wrote, “Jesus is my forever friend”.  She shared her faith with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchild, and friends.