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Priscilla Spawn
07-25-2026

Priscilla Karen (Turco) Spawn, lovingly known as "Peeker," passed away on July 25, 2026, at The Dougherty House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on February 19, 1945, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Peeker had a gift for making people feel seen, remembered, celebrated, and loved. Whether family, a lifelong friend, or someone she had just met, there was a good chance they would leave with a hug, a laugh, a thoughtful gift, or a birthday card.

She graduated from O'Gorman High School in Sioux Falls before attending South Dakota State University, where her intelligence, determination, and industriousness became evident early on. On June 14, 1965, she married her pharmacy school classmate, Donald Spawn, at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Sioux Falls. Just weeks ago, they celebrated 61 years of marriage.

Peeker's work ethic was nothing short of remarkable. While attending pharmacy school, she welcomed her first two children. She and Don later owned and operated Corner Drug Store in Crofton, Nebraska, where caring for people extended beyond filling prescriptions. After moving to Pipestone, Minnesota, in 1991, Peeker became known throughout the region as a dependable relief pharmacist, at times driving hours, often through Minnesota blizzards.

Home was equally important to her. She and Don enjoyed life on their acreage near Pipestone, where they raised sheep together. Of all the farm chores, Peeker especially loved lambing season. She delighted in naming each lamb and bottle-feeding the tiniest ones.

A proud Italian and a devoted Catholic, Peeker embraced life with passion, spice and levity. She was funny, outgoing, delightfully silly, a lover of gummy bears, and often the life of the party. She loved dancing—whether with Don, her children, or her grandchildren—telling stories, and wearing outrageous hats or costumes. She found joy watching "her" deer wander through her yard, spotting dolphins from a Florida balcony, gathering with her treasured cousins, and spending time with family whenever she could. She loved all holidays, and the 26 stockings she hand-made for all of her children and grandchildren will be a precious reminder at Christmas.

Her family will forever smile when recalling her signature expressions. She was a savant with numbers and could recite the birthdays of virtually everyone she loved—including all 21 grandchildren, her children, in-laws, siblings, and extended family; no birthday ever passed without a gesture from Peeker to convey: You matter to me.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Bernice "Popa and Mimi" Turco; her sisters, Sandra VanderWoude and Patricia "Triss" McEntee; and, just eight days before her own passing, her beloved daughter-in-law, Kristen "Krissy" Spawn. She leaves behind the love of her life, Donald Spawn; her five devoted children: Rebecca Bartunek (Jeff), Deborah Nitzel (Grant), Christopher Spawn, Elizabeth Stotler (Brad), and Vanessa Slivken (Josh); her cherished grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, with two more expected soon; her dear brother: Carl "Manny" Turco; and countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A Mass and Celebration of Peeker's life will be held at St. Joseph’s Cathedral on August 6^th, at 10:00 A.M.