Claretta Cunningham Obituary

Claretta M. Cunningham, age 84, of Mitchell, SD, died Tuesday, June 18, 2024, surrounded by her family at her home under hospice care.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at Holy Family Catholic Church with a rosary beginning at 10 a.m. at the church. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at the Will Funeral Chapel with a prayer service beginning at 7 p.m.

Claretta was born Nov. 25, 1939, in Howard, SD to Kenneth and Vivian (Hicks) Hansen.

She married Daniel Cunningham Jan. 8, 1958, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Mitchell. They made their home on the family farm where they farmed together with her in-laws for forty-three years. Early in their marriage, she also worked in Mitchell as a bookkeeper for Randall Foods.

After raising their three children, Claretta started college at Dakota Wesleyan. She continued her education at the University of South Dakota and Mount Marty College. Claretta achieved, with honors, two bachelor's and two master's degrees. She pursued a successful career as a licensed addiction counselor for many years.

After the untimely death of her husband, Claretta found her true passion of turning the family farm into a healing retreat. She became certified as a healing touch practitioner where she hosted many training classes and helped numerous people in their healing journey.

Blessed for having shared her life are her sons; Daniel "Skip" and Cheryl (Carstens) Cunningham, McCook, NE, Doug and Ila (Bartscher) Cunningham, Mitchell, SD and daughter Dawn "Missy" and Scott Barber, Chester, SD; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Michael (Christine) Nauman and their children Grace and Gabrielle, Moscow, ID, Alissa (Nathan) Goodale and their children Ellar and Onalee, Clinton, NY, Kirby (Markay) Cunningham and their children Rowdy and Hopper, Malcom, NE, Kassi (Sean) Anderson and their children Kooper and Keegan, Castle Rock, CO, Maegan (John) Fenske and their children Hunter, Colt, and Bentlea, Woonsocket, SD, Keri (Joe) Warnke and their children Camden and Callen, Alexandria, SD, Haley Cunningham and her daughter Peyton, Mitchell, SD, Tiffany (Tim) Kashas and their children Faith and Owen, Vermillion, SD, Hollianna (Marc) Tuschen and their children Genevieve, Madallyn and Iszak, Augusta, GA, and Sarah (Abelardo) Medina and their children Daniela, Javier and Benito, Chester, SD; stepmother Barb (Kasten) Hansen, Chester, SD; brothers Kenneth (Earline) Hansen, Ferndale, WA, William (Lori) Hansen, Colman, SD, Anthony (Debi) Hansen, Anchorage, AK, Kim (Lisa) Hansen, Chester, SD, Skeet (Angie) Hansen, Wentworth, SD and John (Marlena) Hansen, Madison, SD; sisters; Viola (William) Anderson, Chester, SD, Betty (Rick) Rook, Madison, SD, Linnette Oolman, Sioux Falls, SD and Rhonda Wellman, Watertown, SD; sisters-in-law Louise Hansen, Zula, MT, and Georgia North, Mitchell, SD; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by husband; parents; in-laws Albert (Bethel) and Gladys Cunningham; brothers, Robert (Bud) Hansen, Jerry Hansen, James Hansen; sisters, Bonnie Hill, Jeannie Edwards; brothers-in-law, William North, Anthony Peta, Arthur Jennings; sisters-in-law, Donna Hansen, Vera Peta, Grace Jennings and Joyce Cunningham.