Amherst, SD: The funeral service for Cleo Symens will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 7, 2025 at Zion Reformed Church of Amherst with Rev. Hal Phoenix officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the Amherst Cemetery under the direction of the Olson Funeral Chapel in the spring.

Visitation will be 5:00-6:30 p.m. Thursday, February 6, 2025 at the church, concluding with a prayer service at 6:30.

Cleo Rae Rademacher was born on February 20th, 1939, to Charles and Bertha (Lenius) Rademacher. The oldest of four children, Cleo was raised on the family farm near Amherst, and attended all 12 grades of school in Amherst, graduating in 1957. She attended college at Northern State College in Aberdeen, receiving her teaching certificate. She taught grade school in Amherst.

Cleo Rademacher and Irwin Symens were united in marriage on June 19th, 1959, at the First Lutheran Church in Britton. They made their home on their farm site near Amherst, where both lived until their passings. They had four children, Susan, Jeannine, Connie, and Brad.

Cleo was dedicated to her family, church, and community and had a passion for helping others. She touched many lives as a Sunday School and VBS teacher, Reformed Church Women’s Ministry member, a member of the Weston Township board, a 4-H leader, a volunteer with the Food Pantry and many other organizations. She was the co-chair for the Marshall County Relay for Life for many years. Cleo was a living example of how one person can truly make a difference.

Cleo passed away Monday, February 3, 2025 at Marshall County Healthcare Center in Britton at the age of 85.

Blessed to have shared her life are her children, Susan (Scott) Hardina, Jeannine (Ken) Walker, Connie (Jason) Christians, and Brad (Jenn) Symens; seven grandchildren, Steven (Shannon Raby) Hardina, Jessica (Aaron) Janssen, Lauren (Trever Neal) Hardina, Ashley (Brad) Van Tubergen, Samantha (Max) Armstrong, Michelle (Jesse) DeKam, Elizabeth (Jacob) Chamberlain; seven great-grandchildren, Sophie, Lily and Carter DeKam, Kaylee Neal, Walker and Noah Armstrong, and Virginia Chamberlain; sister, Shirley (Roger) Schuller, sister-in-law, Ruth Rademacher, and in-laws, Aletha Prouty, David Symens, Karen (Darrel) Jongeling, Paul (Faye) Symens, Doris Armstrong, John (Shirley) Symens, and Craig Schmidle.

Preceding Cleo in death were her husband, Irwin Symens; her parents, Charles and Bertha Rademacher; brother, Burton Rademacher; sister, Vicky Witham; grandson, Ethan Christians; and in-laws, Lamoyne Prouty, Gene Armstrong, Herman Symens, Judy Symens, Marjorie Symens, Faye Schmidle, and Claire Witham.