Norene K. Doyle

Norene K. Doyle, 76, of Brookings and formerly of Flandreau, SD, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, May 15, 2026.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at Ss. Simon and Jude Catholic Church in Flandreau, SD. The family will be present for visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at Skroch Funeral Chapel in Flandreau.

Norene was born on June 29, 1949, to Julius and Janet (Sonen) Hockhausen. The oldest of five children, she grew up in Flandreau, South Dakota. She attended Flandreau Public Schools as part of the Class of 1967.

Following high school, Norene lived in Omaha, Nebraska, for several years before returning to Flandreau to remain close to her family. After moving back, she embarked on an impressive career as one of the area’s first female grain elevator operators. She began as a bookkeeper and advanced to manager of the Western Grain Elevator in Flandreau, South Dakota. Her professional journey continued when she joined Cargill, Inc. in Pipestone, Minnesota, as a grain merchant, where she deepened her expertise and earned her commodity trader’s license.

After retiring from the grain industry, Norene continued to share her talents and energy, working for many years at Iott’s Greenhouse, Redeemer Lutheran Preschool, and South Dakota State University.

On June 25, 1977, Norene was united in marriage to Doug Doyle in Madison, South Dakota. Together, they began their married life on a farm northwest of Flandreau before moving into town in 1991. Later, they purchased an acreage northeast of Flandreau before settling in Brookings in 2012, where Norene resided for the remainder of her life.

Norene was a devoted mother to her three daughters, Kerri, Christina, and Shanna, and a cherished Granny to Caitlin, Haylie, and Hayden. She found joy in music and delighted in sharing favorite songs and artists with family and friends. She loved gardening and dedicated many years of service to the Flandreau City Park Board, where she lovingly planted and cared for flowers throughout the park gardens. She was an avid reader who enjoyed curling up under a warm blanket with a cup of tea. She was a lifelong member of Ss. Simon and Jude Catholic Church and a proud member of the Catholic Daughters.

Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Doug Doyle; her daughters, Kerri, Christina (Steve), and Shanna; her grandchildren, Caitlin, Haylie, and Hayden; her siblings, Judy Pulscher (Dave), Joe Hockhausen (Rose), and Mary Flatten (Mike); several nieces and nephews; former son-in-law Steven Thunderhawk-Folks; and her dear friend, Linda Christensen.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Julius and Janet Hockhausen; her brother, John; and her in-laws, Lawrence and Dorothy Doyle; and brother-in-law, Mark Doyle.