Frank Wilaby, age 100, of Brookings, died Thursday, April 23, 2009, at Park Place Assisted Living. Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. Monday, April 27, 2009, at the Brookings Wesleyan Church, with interment in Fairview Cemetery in White, South Dakota. Visitations will precede services at the church on Monday beginning at 9:30 A.M. Eidsness Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Frank Wilaby was born March 25, 1909, at White, South Dakota, to A.C. and Tobie (Akkerman) Wilaby. He grew up on a farm near White, one of eight children. Frank attended rural schools in the area.

On December 28, 1932, he married Gladys Erickson. They farmed and raised their family near Bushnell, South Dakota until 1947. Frank became a custodian at South Dakota State University and moved his family to Brookings in 1976. After twenty-five years with SDSU, Frank worked at the Brookings County Courthouse for five years. During that time Gladys died October 24, 1987. He later worked for SCS and Farmers Coop for one year.

Frank was a member of the Brookings Wesleyan Church. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, dancing, watching baseball, and spending time with his family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his children: Janet (Dean) Griffith of Fridley, Minnesota, Darrel (Barbara) Wilaby of Craig, Colorado, Meriel (Paul) Smith of Bristol, Rhode Island, Faye (John Paul) Jones of Brookings, and Gary (Sheryl) Wilaby of Des Moines, Iowa; sixteen grandchildren; Thirty-two great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys; parents, A.C. and Tobie; a daughter, Ardys Weisner; a granddaughter, Dawn Jones; two brothers, William and August Wilaby; and five sisters, Jennie Peters, Sena Steinbeck, Ethel Jacobson, Ruth Steinbeck, and Irene Benz.