Iona Marie Langer, 92, passed away on November 6, 2021 at Lemay Health Center in Fort Collins, CO.  She was a lifelong resident of Spearfish, SD.

Iona was born November 27, 1929, in Clark County, SD on the family farm to Charles and Florence (Aalseth) Black and was the second youngest in a family of 5 children.  She graduated from Armour High School in 1947 and attended Black Hills State Teachers College where she received her teaching certificate.  Following graduation, she taught kindergarten through 8 ^th grade in a one-room schoolhouse in the Arpan area (northeast of Belle Fourche, SD).  On May 26, 1951, she married James P. Langer of Spearfish, SD.  They went on to have two daughters (Geralynn and Angela) and spent 69 loving years together.

In 1957, Iona and Jim started their first retail business, Black Hills Artcraft, a gift store which included Jim's hand tooled leather goods and jewelry.  Iona ran the business while Jim worked at the Homestake Sawmill, retiring in 1972.  Their next venture founded in 1964, Gems by Jim, Inc., focused on manufacturing and wholesaling jewelry.  Iona also expanded her retail business to include a new retail location in what was formerly the First National Bank.  In 1976, they started Black Hills Silver, Inc., which became well-known for its artistic, silver jewelry designs.  They had a wonderful partnership with Iona managing the business aspects and Jim leveraging his artistic abilities. Iona continued to expand their businesses and eventually owned and operated 5 retail stores (Black Hills Artcraft, Langer's fine gifts, the Christmas Shop, the T-shirt and Moccasin Shop and Black Hills Silver Factory Outlet store) and two wholesale jewelry manufacturing operations (Gems by Jim, Inc. and Black Hills Silver, Inc.).  Iona and Jim also traveled the world representing their jewelry in multiple countries including Japan, China and Germany.  After more than 48 years, Iona and Jim decided to retire in 2005.  In 2011, Iona and Jim moved to Loveland, CO to be closer to family.

Iona was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church where she served as a lecture and eucharistic minister.  In addition, she was a lifelong member of Beta Sigma Phi and a board member of multiple community organizations including, the Chamber of Commerce, Spearfish Economic Development, and the Retail Downtown Association.  Iona was also one of the founding members and investors of Spearfish's first locally owned bank, First Western Bank.

Iona enjoyed traveling the world with Jim.  Locally, they were well-known for their fabulous dancing skills and could be seen waltzing across the floor at many events.

Iona is survived by two daughters, Geralynn (Patrick) McGibney of Loveland, CO, Angela (Kevin) Julien and grandsons Remy and Ethan of Painted Post, NY, sister Ella Mae Wood of Denver, CO, sister-in-law Ida Langer of Spearfish, SD and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by Jim (2020), her parents and siblings Ken, Eunice and Joan.

A funeral mass will take place on Friday, November 12, 2021 at 10:00am at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish followed by burial at the Black Hills National Cemetery at 1:30pm.  Visitation will began at 5:00pm on Thursday, November 11, 2021 with a vigil service to follow at 6:00pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Flowers are always appreciated, but please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association in Iona's name www.act.alz.org

Arrangements are under the care of the Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel of Spearfish.

www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com