Aberdeen: The funeral service for Marian Brooks, 101, of Aberdeen will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Aberdeen, with Pastor Jeff Whillock leading the worship. Burial will be in Warner Township Cemetery.
Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Gramm Funeral Home, 720 N. Sixth St., in Ipswich and one hour before services at church on Tuesday.
Marian passed away at Bethesda Home of Aberdeen on Wednesday, April 3, 2013.
Online guest registry at grammfuneralhome.com.
LaPlant: Funeral services for Mark Iron Wing, 36, La Plant, will be Saturday, April 13, 2013, at 11 a.m. at the Lakota Cultural Center, Eagle Butte.
Meal follows, with burial afterward at La Plant Congregational Cemetery.
Meet at Four-Mile Junction, 4 p.m. Friday, April 12, to proceed to the cultural center for wake services beginning at 7 p.m.
Mark entered the spirit world March 31, 2013, at his home in La Plant.
Stout Family Funeral Home, Mobridge
Aberdeen: Florence Marie Krueger, 87, of Aberdeen passed away on her birthday, Thursday, April 4, 2013, at Mother Joseph Manor in Aberdeen.
Her funeral arrangements are pending with Gramm Funeral Home of Ipswich.
Online guest registry at grammfuneralhome.com.
Aberdeen: The memorial service for Verdalle A. Hinds, 93, of Aberdeen will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 6, 2013, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church Chapel, Aberdeen, with Pastor Kevin Bergeson officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Memorial Park, Aberdeen. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.
Verdalle died Wednesday, April 3, 2013, at Golden Living Center, Ipswich.
Verdalle Walkowski (Adams) was born March 23, 1920, in Boyd, Minn. She grew up and graduated from Gettysburg High School in 1938. After receiving a two-year teaching certificate from Northern State Teachers College, she taught fifth grade in Leola from 1940 to 1941.
She married Merle Hinds on Sept. 23, 1943, in Long Beach, Calif. They made their home in Aberdeen, where they owned the East Side Grocery after World War II. Following the death of her husband in 1954, she returned to Northern State College and received a bachelor of science degree in education with honors in 1960, and a master of sciences in education in 1966.
She taught fourth grade at Lincoln Elementary and May Overby Elementary Schools from 1956 until her retirement in 1984. She resided at Angelhaus, beginning in 2005, where she remained until moving to Golden Living Center in Ipswich in 2012.
Verdalle was a past Jayceette president, a past president of Delta Kappa Gamma and member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and Ladies Circle. Verdalle was a dedicated educator, touching the lives of her students. She was an avid reader. One of her desires was to read all of the great masterpieces of world literature. Verdalle loved to cook and trying new recipes. She had a collection of more than 1,000 cookbooks. She cherished her time spent with her children and grandchildren.
Survivors include her son, Craig Hinds, of Aberdeen; daughter, Barbara Zinter, of Aberdeen; two grandchildren: Mathew and Meghan Zinter of Aberdeen; two sisters: Mrs. Harriet Nelson, Houston, Texas, and Mrs. Glenn (Jeanette) Westphal, Gettysburg.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Merle; parents, J.D. and Lillian (Marquardt) Walkowski; her stepfather; and two brothers.
spitzerfuneralhome.com
Aberdeen: Carol Gloria Rohl, 90, of Aberdeen passed away Thursday, April 4, 2013, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen.
Arrangements are pending with Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, Aberdeen.
schriversmemorial.com
Aberdeen: Mass of Christian burial for Lorraine Catherine Meier, 79, Aberdeen, is 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 6, 2013, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Aberdeen. Burial is at St. Mary's Cemetery.
Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, Aberdeen, is handling arrangements.
Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, at the mortuary, with liturgical wake and rosary at 7 p.m. Visitation continues one hour before Mass at church.
Lorraine passed away April 3, 2013, at Avera Mother Joseph Manor, Aberdeen.
schriversmemorial.com
Aberdeen: Memorial service for Kathy M. (Herman) Vance, 51, Aberdeen is 2 p.m. Saturday, April 6, 2013, at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S. Main St., Pastor Chris Anderson officiating. Kathy died Monday, April 1, at her home.
Visitation: 1-7 p.m. Friday, with family present from 5 to 7 p.m., at the funeral home.
Kathryn Mary Herman was born Sept. 17, 1961, in Aberdeen to LeVern and Anna (Frost) Herman. This is the area where she grew up and attended school. She met Steve Vance, her soul mate, in 1979, at Lu's Pizza and they were married on July 11, 1981, in Aberdeen. She chose to devote her life to the compassion of others through a career in nursing, graduating from Presentation College in 1993. They moved to Denver, Colo., where she took a job caring for veterans. In 2008, they moved back to Aberdeen to be close to family. She worked for Aberdeen Health and Rehab and Avera Mother Joseph Manor until the time of her death. In April 2010, she began a war against breast cancer and fought it courageously to be pronounced victorious and, in May 2011, went into remission. In honor of her victory, they renewed their wedding vows in July 2011.
Kathy loved spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren, mother and brothers and sisters. She was a loving, caring and devoted person who was committed to serving the elderly. She loved animals, coffee and shopping (much to Steve's chagrin).
Grateful for having shared Kathy's life are her husband, Steven Vance, Aberdeen; sons: Kenneth (Jeniece) Vance, Dustin Vance, both of Aberdeen, Nikolas Vance (Brandi Maxwell), Denver, Colo.; grandchildren: Grace, Eden, Arica, Kenneth, Jr. and Daniel; mother, Anna Herman, Aberdeen: brothers and sisters: Ronald Pete (Connie) Herman, Aberdeen, Linda Jensen, Golden Valley, Minn., James (Kathi) Herman, Aberdeen, Douglas Herman, Aurora, Colo., Calvin Herman, Lakewood, Colo., Richard (Gerri) Herman, Brooklyn Park, Minn., Michael (Melissa) Herman, Aberdeen, John Herman, Hopkins, Minn., Robert (Kathleen) Herman, Chandler, Ariz., Scott Herman (Wanda Anderson) Mina and Nicki Herman, Aberdeen; several nieces and nephews.
Kathy was preceded in death by her father, LeVern Herman.
spitzerfuneralhome.com
Helena, Mont.: Arlene R. Quist, 56, of Helena and formerly of Aberdeen, passed away Thursday, April 4, 2013, at Aspen Gardens Assisted Living in Helena.
Arrangements are pending with Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, Aberdeen.
schriversmemorial.com
Port Ludlow, Wash.: Laureen Fuller, 68, of Port Ludlow, Wash., passed away peacefully with her family by her side March 29, 2013, after a courageous battle against cancer.
She was born in Aberdeen on Jan. 28, 1945, to Delbert and Caroline (Shilman) Brick.
She graduated from Aberdeen Central High School in 1963.
Laureen loved living life to the fullest. She loved to travel and enjoyed motor homing, spending time with her family, taking her grandkids on trips and having get togethers with friends.
Laureen was employed with U.S. Postal Service for 25 years. She worked in the bulk mail center, where she met her husband, Michael Fuller. She worked her way up to postmaster, and was postmaster for several towns around Western Washington.
Laureen was preceded in death by her parents, Delbert and Caroline Brick; a sister, Wanda Barnhart; brother, Ival Brick; and daughter, Becky Lynn Hammrich.
She is survived by her husband, Michael Fuller, of Port Ludlow; brother, Carroll Brick, of Aberdeen; sister, Peggy Anderson, of Seabeck, Wash.; her son, Brady Hammrich, of Port Orchard, Wash.; daughter, Buffy Butler, of Auburn, Wash.; four grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
There will be a celebration of life at First Lutheran Church in Port Orchard, Wash., on April 6, 2013 at 4 p.m.
The funeral service for Dorothy L. Koch, 89, of Aberdeen, formerly of Ellendale, N.D., will be 11 a.m. Monday, April 8, 2013, at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S. Main St., Aberdeen, with Pastor Nathan Henschen officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Aberdeen.
Dorothy died Thursday, April 4, at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls.
Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the funeral home on Monday.
spitzerfuneralhome.com
Mass of Christian burial for Carol Rohl, 90, Aberdeen, is 1 p.m. Monday, April 8, Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Burial following at Sacred Heart Cemetery.
Rosary will be 7:30 p.m. Sunday, at Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory.
Visitation is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the mortuary, and one hour prior the funeral at the church Tuesday.
Carol passed away Thursday, April 4, 2013, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital, Aberdeen.
Family prefers memorials to the Boys and Girls Club.
schriversmemorial.com
Mass of Christian burial for Arlene R. Quist, 56, of Helena, formerly Aberdeen, will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 9, 2013, at St. Mary's Catholic Church.
Burial at St. Mary's Cemetery.
Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.
Liturgical wake service 7 p.m. Monday at the mortuary.
Visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the mortuary and one hour prior to funeral at the church on Tuesday.
Arlene passed away Thursday, April 4, 2013, at Aspen Gardens, Helena.
The funeral service for Marian Brooks, 101, of Aberdeen is 1 p.m. Tuesday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Aberdeen with Pastor Jeff Whillock leading the worship. Burial will be in Warner Township Cemetery.
Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Gramm Funeral Home, 720 N. Sixth St., in Ipswich and one hour before services at church on Tuesday.
Marian was born Oct. 19, 1911, in Brown County, S.D., to Carl and Marie (Hunstad) Gustafson. Her grandparents had immigrated from Sweden and Norway, and homesteaded southeast of Aberdeen in Gem Township. She was baptized and confirmed in the Scandinavia Lutheran Church. She attended rural school, graduated from Aberdeen Central High School in 1929, and took teachers training at Northern Teachers College.
After college, she taught at a rural school in McPherson County for two years. Her parents had moved to Edmunds County during that time, and Marian met Andrew Brooks at a barn dance at her parents' farm.
Marian and Andy married May 8, 1932, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Aberdeen. They farmed and ranched in Pembrook Township, near Mina, for 60 years. They raised a family of six children: Helen (Keith) Yetter of Duluth, Minn., Cherie (Michael) Reilly of Pittsburgh, Pa., Donna (Bruce) Ericksen of Pasadena, Md., Dale (Linda) Brooks of Mina, S.D., Linda (Alfred) Faas of Mesquite, Nev., and Jerry (Peggy) Brooks of Ipswich, S.D.
Upon their parents' retirement, sons Dale and Jerry carried on farming and ranching in Edmunds County.
Marian was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, WMF and Bethesda Circle, taught Sunday school and was a 35-year member of the Pioneer Extension club of Edmunds County. She enjoyed gardening, quilting, ceramic painting and other arts and crafts. Marian was especially noted for her wonderful baking. She delighted friends and family with her delicious pies, breads and angel food cakes. Her marvelous fudge and divinity candy were family favorites. In later years, she particularly enjoyed playing board games with her friends.
Marian and Andy enjoyed traveling. They visited most of the United States and spent several months visiting daughter, Donna, and her family when they lived in England in the 1970s. They spent winters in Apache Junction, Ariz., for almost 20 years. The couple had celebrated 61 years of marriage when Andy passed away in 1993. Marian continued to winter in Apache Junction until 2002, when she took up year-around residence at Parkside Retirement Community in Aberdeen. She maintained her own apartment residence there until February 2013, when she transferred to Bethesda Nursing Home.
Marian enjoyed a vital and healthy old age, traveling to family events from coast to coast, never missing a grandchild's wedding. She delighted in her large family and decorated her walls with dozens of family photos. When Central High School dedicated its new building in 2004, Marian was recognized as the oldest graduate to attend the festivities. Over 200 friends and family attended her 100th birthday celebration in 2012.
Marian passed away at Bethesda Home of Aberdeen on Wednesday, April 3, 2013.
Marian is survived by five of her children, her niece, Deanna Gustafson Hanson, of Pierre, 20 grandchildren, and over 30 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by husband, Andrew, daughter, Donna, grandson, Bradley Yetter, son-in-law, Keith Yetter, brothers, Robert and Colonel Gustafson, and her parents, Carl and Marie Gustafson.
Online guest registry at grammfuneralhome.com
Mass of Christian burial for Leona Malsam, 83, of Hosmer is 10 a.m. Tuesday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Hosmer. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
A liturgical wake is 7 p.m. Monday at the church in Hosmer, with visitation starting at 5 p.m. Visitation continues one hour prior to services Tuesday.
Leona died Saturday, April 6, 2013, at the Senior Citizens Home in Hosmer.
Services with Gramm Funeral Home of Ipswich.
grammfuneralhome.com
Carol Gloria Rohl died peacefully April 4, 2013, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital.
Mass of Christian burial will be 1 p.m., Monday, April 8, 2013, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 409 Third Ave. S.E., Aberdeen, with Father Shane D. Stevens officiating. Burial follows at Sacred Heart Cemetery.
Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 Fifth Ave. N.W., Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.
Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, at the mortuary, with a rosary service being held at 7:30 p.m. Visitation continues for one hour prior to Mass at the church on Monday.
Carol was born to John and Alice Gilberta Church Templeton in Aberdeen, S.D., on Jan. 10, 1923. She attended Aberdeen schools and graduated from Central High in 1940, where she met Robert Rohl. After secretarial business training, she worked for the Army Quartermaster Corps in California, transferring to Chicago, while Bob was stationed at the naval base there. They were married in Chicago on Jan. 1, 1944, and moved back to Aberdeen, when Bob was shipped out to the Pacific. After Bob retuned from the war, he and Carol settled in and continued to build the family business, the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Aberdeen and continued to work in the business for more than 50 years. In addition to building the family business in Aberdeen, Bob and Carol raised their five beloved children here.
She was very active in Sacred Heart Church and the Aberdeen community throughout her life. She belonged to the Catholic Daughters, St. Luke's Auxiliary, Presentation College Auxiliary, P.E.O., D.A.R, Moccasin Creek Country Club and the Sacred Heart Altar Society.
She was politically active and very loyal to the Republican Party. She served as the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commissioner.
She was a generous philanthropic supporter of Brown County Mental Health, the United Way, the YMCA, one of the founding supporters of the Boys and Girls Club in Aberdeen and was inducted into the Roncalli Hall of Fame for her significant support for Roncalli Catholic Schools.
In later years, she and Bob spent the winters playing golf in Sun City West, Ariz. Carol loved lively conversations wherever she went and greatly enjoyed her friendships within her bridge clubs. She loved to travel and socialize, supported Aberdeen Community Theatre and loved the Sisters of Presentation. Carol suffered a stroke on Easter Sunday and died four days later, surrounded by her family.
Her parents, siblings, and husband all preceded her in death. (Her father, John Templeton, and mother, Alice Church Templeton; brothers: John Gilbert Templeton, David James Templeton; her sister, Alpha Templeton Ault, and her husband, Robert John Rohl, who passed away in 1999.)
She is survived by two daughters and three sons: Barbara Harr (James); Mary Louise Rohl Starkey, Robert Rohl (Roberta), Jim Rohl (Sandy), and Pat Rohl (Gail). She was very proud of her 14 grandchildren, including Stephanie Harr (Barry White), Matt Harr (Kerry), Sarah Jensen (Joel), Meghan Harr, Christian Starkey (Christine), Nathan Starkey (Ashley), Mackenzie Shultz (Ted), Kari Rohl, Robbie Rohl, Ashley Rohl, Olivia Rohl, James A. Rohl (Sarah), P.J. Rohl and Michael Rohl, and her 11 wonderful great-grandchildren.
Memorials are preferred to Aberdeen Boys and Girls Club.
schriversmemorial.com
Donald DeWayne Keithly, 72, of Aberdeen passed away Monday, April 1, 2013, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen.
Donald's wishes were to be cremated with no formal services being held.
Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 Fifth Ave. N.W., Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Friends may sign his online guestbook at schrivers
memorial.com.
Donald is survived by his wife, Maria (Hartl) Keithly, of Aberdeen. His parents, three brothers and one sister preceded him in death.
Mass of Christian burial for Catherine DeCurtins, 69, of Aberdeen will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, April 8, 2013 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 409 Second Ave. N.E., Aberdeen, with Father J. Joseph Holzhauser officiating. Burial will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery.
Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 Fifth Ave. N.W., Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.
Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m., Sunday, April 7, 2013, at the mortuary with a liturgical wake service at 5 p.m. Visitation continues for one hour before Mass at church on Monday.
Cathy passed away Friday, March 29, 2013, at ManorCare Health Services in Aberdeen.
Catherine DeCurtins was born on Dec. 19, 1943, in Madison, S.D., to Robert E. and LaDean (Loesch) DeCurtins. The family moved to various locations, while her father was enlisted in the United States Army and eventually settled in Aberdeen, where Cathy attended and graduated from Aberdeen Central High School with the Class of 1961.
Following graduation, Cathy worked in retail, before returning to school to further her education. She received her nursing degree from Presentation College in 1980 and was employed as a registered nurse with Avera St. Luke's Hospital and the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Aberdeen. Cathy continued to make Aberdeen her home until the time of her death.
Cathy was an avid reader. She also enjoyed bowling, playing bingo, going to church bazaars and casinos (especially Flandreau) with her son, Michael, going on cruises with Michael and her sister, Barb, and collecting coins. Most of all, Cathy loved spending time and taking trips with her family, who will miss her dearly.
Surviving Cathy are her children: Melinda (Terry) Silk of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., and Michael DeCurtins of Sioux Falls, S.D.; her grandchildren, Serena and Sofia Silk of Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; three brothers: John (Kelley) DeCurtins of Savage, Minn., Don (Patty) DeCurtins of Olive Branch, Miss., David DeCurtins of Sanford, Fla.; one sister, Barb (Sam) Wells of Frankston, Texas; one sister-in-law, Brenda DeCurtins of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Cathy's parents and one brother, Russ DeCurtins, preceded her in death.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society in Cathy's memory.
schriversmemorial.com
The funeral service for Dorothy L. Koch, 89, of Aberdeen, formerly of Ellendale, N.D., will be 11 a.m., Monday, April 8, 2013, at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S. Main St., with Pastor Nathan Henschen officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Aberdeen. Dorothy died Thursday, April 4, at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Visitation is two hours prior to the service at the funeral home on Monday.
Dorothy Louise Webb, daughter of Delbert and Hannah (Tobiason) Webb, was born on May 31, 1923, in Aberdeen, S.D. Dorothy attended Pierson and Johnson Schools near Hecla, S.D. Dorothy graduated from Hecla High School in 1941 and from Aberdeen Commercial College in 1942. She began her career in office management at Walgreens Drug in Aberdeen. She married Willard Koch in 1945. They lived in Hecla, where she was employed as a bookkeeper at Herther's Department Store from 1953-59, then as the office manager at Lahman's Manufacturing from 1959-68. She then served as office manager at the Ellendale Nursing Home from 1968-2005, where she touched the lives of many residents with her business knowledge and her winning smile and sunny disposition.
A hardworker, Dorothy proved it by working at the nursing home until she was 82. She enjoyed traveling and visiting family, took great pride in her grandchildren and valued her friendships.
Dorothy was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary from infancy, a member of the Ellendale Senior Group and Zion Lutheran Church in Ellendale.
Special thanks to her longtime friends: Cousin Virginia Schwall, Edna Scherman, Marge Kuck, Virginia Monroe, Shelby Johnson and Russ Rollo for taking care of her.
Grateful for having shared Dorothy's life are her children; Terry (Gwenda) Koch, Mitchell, S.D., Dennis (Susan) Koch, Springfield, Ill., Sandra (Jeff) Kolbo, Rocky Point, N.Y., William (Terri) Koch, Fargo, N.D., and Susan Koch Sheppard, Tampa, Fla.; grandchildren: Theran, Tressa, Torey, Kristina, Michael, Elizabeth, Rachel, Hannah, Josh, Chris, Cassie, Cody, Andrea and Teresa; 18 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Kenneth Webb.
Preceding her in death are her parents, Delbert and Hannah; and her husband, Willard.
spitzerfuneralhome.com
Memorial service for Edna Katie Bertsch, 91, of Ashley will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 13, 2013, at Ashley Baptist Church. The Rev. Bill Damberg will officiate.
Lunch and fellowship will follow the service.
Edna died Jan. 7, 2013, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen.
Burial was in Bertsch Station Baptist Cemetery on Jan. 12, 2013.
Edna Katie, daughter of Andrew B. and Magdalene (Dockter) Haas, was born on Oct. 2, 1921, near Venturia, N.D.
She attended the Albrights Valley Elementary School in McIntosh County, N.D. Edna was baptized in 1932 at Hoskins Lake, west of Ashley, N.D., and she remained active in the North American Baptist Church all her life. She was a member of the Baptist Youth Fellowship in her youth, the Baptist Church Ladies Aid and Circles, the Eureka Hospital Auxiliary and the Ashley Red Hatters. Edna also volunteered at the Ashley Medical Center Nursing Home during her active retirement years. This activity gave her great joy.
She married Aaron Bertsch on Nov. 8, 1940, at Venturia Baptist Church. To this union three children were born. They were partners in farming, the seed corn business and raising three children.
Upon retirement from farming, Edna followed several of her interests in gainful employment, including sewing and alterations, housekeeping at the Lakeview Motel and the Eureka Hospital in Eureka, Broen Nursing Home, Fergus Falls, Minn. and the State Capital Building in Pierre and care-giving at the Redfield State Hospital, Redfield. Edna's greatest joy was her family. She was an avid gardener and a wonderful cook and baker. Her grandchildren loved her cookies.
Edna has lived on farms near Venturia, N.D. and McLaughlin; in the communities of Eureka; Wishek, N.D.; Venturia, N.D.; Redfield; Fergus Falls, Minn., Pierre and Ashley, N.D.
Edna is survived by a son, Ronald (Ron) and wife, Linda Bertsch, Plattsmouth, Neb.; a son, Gerald (Gerry) and wife, Cynthia Bertsch, Sheboygan, Wis.; and a daughter, Janice (Jan) and husband, Harlan Quenzer, Mitchell; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; a brother, LeMar and wife, Jeannie Haas; sisters: Fay Bertsch, LaVilla and husband, Milbert Dollinger, Arly and husband, Dennis Schnabel; many friends, including Chris Maier; nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Aaron; brothers: Allen and wife, Ruth Haas, and Aaron and wife, Lori Haas; brother-in-law, Leo Bertsch; and nephew, Lester Haas
Carlsen Funeral Home of Ashley.
carlsenfh.com
Mass of Christian burial for Leona Malsam, 83, of Hosmer is 10 a.m. Tuesday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Hosmer. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
A liturgical wake is 7 p.m. Monday at the church in Hosmer with visitation starting at 5 p.m. Visitation continues one hour prior to services Tuesday.
Leona was born June 17, 1929, to Adam and Mary (Reinboldt) Hopfinger at home on their farm, 9 miles outside of Hosmer, S.D. She attended school in Hosmer through her freshman year, when her family moved to Aberdeen, S.D. She graduated from Aberdeen Central High School in 1947.
Leona met Dave Malsam, the love of her life, at a wedding dance in Hosmer. Six months later they were married at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Aberdeen.
From 1955 to 1980, they lived on the farmstead they had purchased from Dave's parents. They enjoyed raising their family on the farm, instilling the value of a good work ethic in each of their children. Leona had grown up during the Great Depression, so she always appreciated everything that she was blessed with and worked for. She took nothing for granted.
In 1980, they moved to Hosmer. This gave them a lot of leisure time to go fishing in Canada and on the Missouri River, where they caught walleyes and enjoyed camping. They spent 14 wonderful years together in town, spending time with friends and playing pinochle.
Leona enjoyed many things in her lifetime. She liked fishing, dancing, gardening, sewing quilts, going on walks, playing card games and crocheting. She most loved visiting with friends and family, whom she would spend countless hours baking treats for.
She was devoted to her faith and let that faith guide her life. She was an active member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and the Altar Society in Hosmer.
Leona joined her loving husband, Dave, in heaven, passing away with her family at her side on Saturday, April 6, 2013, at the Senior Citizens Home in Hosmer. She was an amazing mother to 14 children and a loving grandma to 35 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Celebrating her life are her children: Robert (Gayle Harty) Malsam of Aberdeen, Jerome (Geralyn) Malsam of Hosmer, John (Gwen) Malsam of Mellette, S.D., Carol (Richard) Barth of Lodi, Calif., Thomas (Joan) Malsam of Mellette, Joanie (Ron) Janish of Aberdeen, Richard (Mary) Malsam of Collinsville, Okla., Lucy (Bill) Korn of Hosmer, Marge (John) Lassegard of Rapid City, S.D., David (Natalie) Malsam of Aberdeen, James (Melony) Malsam of Aberdeen and Troy (Laura) Malsam of Bath, S.D.; her sisters, Josephine Heier and Margaret Heier of Hosmer; 35 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Her husband; daughter, Yvonne Ritterhouse; son, Terry Malsam; parents, Adam and Mary; sisters, Francis Heilman, Magdalena "Lena" Harty, Philipena Harty and Mary, who died in infancy; granddaughters, Tina Lucille Vadakin and Michelle Lee Lassegard; and a grandson, Kevin Janish, preceded her in death.
Services with Gramm Funeral Home of Ipswich.
grammfuneralhome.com