SIOUX FALLS — Josephine Costain, 98, passed away at Ava’s House Hospice in Sioux Falls, Tuesday, January 16, 2018. 
Funeral service will be 1:30 p.m., Saturday, January 20, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church with Fr. Terry Weber officiating. Private interment will be in Riverside Cemetery at Huron.
Jo was born March 5, 1919, in Huron to Edmund and Theresa (Martin) McDermott. Following graduation from Huron High School and Northwest College of Commerce, Jo worked for Northwestern National Bank and Northwestern Bell Telephone. She was united in marriage to Mel Costain June 27, 1949, and together they raised two children. They were active members of the Huron community for many years. She headed the altar society at St. Martin’s Church and served at Resurrection Church. She led Girl Scouts, volunteered at school, served snacks to every kid in the neighborhood, hosted parties, cooked for everyone, and played endless hands of bridge.
Jo survived a serious automobile accident in 1960. After her recovery, when the beauty shop she patronized was about to close, she purchased the French Miss. She was successful and opened a second salon, the French Lady. She happily ran the businesses for many years and served on the Board of Directors of the Huron Chamber of Commerce. In 1974, Mel’s family sold Costain’s  Appliance, Jo sold her beauty shops, and they moved to Rapid City. They enjoyed the Black Hills for many years, hosting a parade of relatives and visitors to “God’s Country” until Mel’s death in 1996.
Jo surrounded the people she met with love, care and food. To Jo a stranger was just a friend she had not yet met. She had the blessed ability to find the positive in every person in her life.
Left to remember Jo and her love are her son, Dave (Linda) of San Jose, Calif.; daughter, Bonnie and grandson Matthew Edens of Sioux Falls; and granddaughter Jessica Costain-Peek (Andrew) of San Francisco, Calif.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Mel; and siblings, Audrey Hough, Alice Wagner, Eileen, Francis, William (Opal), and Mary Afdahl.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Covington Heights Nursing Home and Ava’s House Hospice for their loving care of Jo. 
Memorials may be sent to Ava’s House in Sioux Falls.
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