Lea Minyard, age 89, formerly of Brookings, died Tuesday, December 30, 2014, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Funeral serviceswill be 2:00 P.M., Friday, January 2, 2015, at First Baptist Church in Brookings, with interment in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitations will be one hour prior to the service. Eidsness Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Lea (James) Minyard was born July 20, 1925, at Vernon, Texas, to Alfred and Ethel (McCourt) James and spent her early years there. On July 21, 1945, she married Joe A. Minyard in Frederick, Oklahoma. Following Joe's military service, they farmed for two years in the Vernon area before moving to Canyon, Texas where Joe attended college. In January 1951 they moved from Texas to South Dakota. They enjoyed a very happy life during their 54 years in South Dakota and many friends in the various places they lived: Dupree, Buffalo, Newell, Rapid City and Brookings. Joe died in Brookings in June 2005, and Lea later moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to be near her daughter Judy. Lea was a member of First Baptist Church in Brookings, and was active in the American Baptist Women. She was a member of Bridge Club, Faculty Women's Club, and Brookings Chapter No. 15 of the Order of the Eastern Star. She enjoyed sewing and spending time with her family and friends. Survivors include her children: Teresa (Bob) Snoozy of Omaha, Nebraska, Judy (Dan) Shuck of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and Mark (Fatima) Minyard of San Ramone, California; four grandchildren: Kari Snoozy Remm, Scott Snoozy, Micah and Jordan Shuck; and four great-grandchildren: Morgan, Brianna, Colten and Caden Remm. She is also survived by two brothers: JR (Melba) James, Bill (Jane) James, and one sister: Carolyn Clause. Lea was preceded in death by her parents, husband, infant daughter Sandra, three brothers: Clyde, Jack, and Marvin and two sisters: Beatrice and Emma. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the SDSU Foundation/Joe and Lea Minyard Scholarship fund.