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SR. COLMAN COAKLEY
Sister Colman Coakley, 84, a Sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, died March 30, 2012 at Presentation Convent, Aberdeen, SD.
The Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Colman Coakley will be Tuesday, April 3, at 2:00 p.m., in Blessed Sacrament Chapel at Presentation Convent, Aberdeen, SD. A Scriptural Wake service will be April 2 at 7:00 p.m. in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Father Michael Kelly will preside as celebrant and homilist.
Burial will be at the Sacred Heart Cemetery with Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S Main Street, in charge of arrangements.
Brigid Nodlaig Coakley was born December 28, 1927 in Cork, Ireland to Hannah (Cotter) and Cornelius Coakley. She was educated at the South Presentation Convent/School, the original convent founded by Nano Nagle. She left the South Presentation Convent/School at age 15, after completing three years of high school and wrote the government examination known as the intermediate certificate. Nodlaig then attended Haynes Commercial School and took classes in bookkeeping, typing and shorthand, etc. At age 17, she was employed at Musgrave Brothers, Inc. in the wholesale department. She was a clerk for four years, filled orders and costed out the orders for billing purposes.
Nodlaig felt the missionary spirit and made the decision to enter Presentation Convent in Aberdeen. She left Cork May 7th on the Cunard Liner Brittanic, arrived in New York on May 14 and traveled by train from New York to Aberdeen arriving May 17, 1949. She received the habit May 22, 1950 and professed perpetual vows August 11, 1955.
Sister Colman began working at Avera McKennan in 1952 as a bookkeeper, then business manager until 1968. Sister attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls where she obtained a degree in business administration in 1971. When the Presentation Health System formed in 1978, Sister Colman became their first President. The Health System grew under her influence and leadership from the Presentation Sisters’ four owned hospitals to a regional network with 18 hospitals, 14 long-term care facilities, assisted living and independent living senior apartment complexes and a home-care organization, as well as many other associated services and programs.
In 1997, Sister Colman was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame because of her outstanding accomplishments and contributions to health care in South Dakota. As a leader of one of the largest regional health care systems, she developed programs to share resources and expertise with small, rural facilities and as director of Pastoral Care, she developed programs to assure Christian, Gospel-based values in caring for the sick. Sister Colman served as chair of Avera McKennan’s Board of Trustees from 1970 to 1989.
After a year on sabbatical, she came to Aberdeen doing volunteer work at Avera St. Luke’s hospital for three years (1998-2001). She retired in 2001 and returned to Sioux Falls working as a volunteer with the Hispanic Ministry until 2007. Sister Colman came to live at Presentation Convent in March 2012.
Sister Colman is survived by her community of Presentation Sisters, Neil and Liam Manley, Cork Ireland, Con, Thomas, Michael, Mary (Sweeney), Rosario, and Nulli Coakley. She is preceded in death by her parents, sister, Nancy Manley and brother, Thomas D. Coakley.
Memorials preferred for: Sister Colman Coakley Health Care Education Scholarship,
The Free Clinic at Avera McKennan Foundation or Caminando Juntos, Presentation Sisters Hispanic Ministry.
Pall bearers will be Avera Health representatives.
RUBEN "TOM" SPITZER
Funeral services for Tom Spitzer, 89, Eureka will be 2 pm, Sunday, April 1, 2012 at Zion Lutheran Church, Eureka with Pastor Ryan Gage officiating. Burial will be at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Eureka. Tom died on Monday, March 26 at the Aberdeen Health & Rehab.
Visitation will be from 2-5 pm, Saturday at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S. Main St. and two hours prior to the service at the church.
Ruben Spitzer, one of ten children, was born on February 16, 1923 at Eureka, to David and Katharina (Nehlich) Spitzer. He grew up and attended school in Eureka. He met Theresa Geffre in Oakes, ND and they were married on January 6, 1956 at Havana, ND. They made their home in Eureka and later moved to Rapid City where he worked for a construction company. In 1963 they moved back to Eureka where they purchased a tavern and named it “Tom’s Place”. They operated the tavern until May 7, 2008 when they were forced to retire due to their health. Theresa died on July 16, 2008 in Aberdeen and Tom resided at the Aberdeen Health & Rehab until the time of his death.
Tom was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Eureka. He loved his hobby farm which he shared with his son, Jeff, where they raised sheep, chickens, ducks, geese and pheasants. He enjoyed attending Kevin’s baseball and basketball games, always cheering from the sidelines. They loved playing Pinochle with their friends. He loved his family and especially his grandchildren.
Grateful for having shared Tom’s life are his children, Jeffrey (Carol) Spitzer of Watertown, SD and their children, David (Keisha) Spitzer and their children, Jesse, Jayson and Carmen, Tom Spitzer, Kathy Spitzer and her daughter, McKenna, Tom (Lisa) Lapka of Chanhassen, MN, and their children, Billy (Carrie) Lapka and their daughters, Eva and Lila, Annie Lapka, Kevin (Lynda) Spitzer of Mina and their children, Krystina Spitzer (Tyler Heuer) and Danielle Spitzer (Chase Hegge), Jason Sander and his children, Westen & Kianna, Joshua Sander, brother, Marvin Spitzer, Rapid City, SD, numerous nieces and nephews.
Tom is preceded in death by his wife, Theresa, parents, David and Katharine Spitzer, siblings, John Spitzer, Jacob Spitzer, Otto Spitzer, Edwin Spitzer, Frieda Butala, Herbert Spitzer, Emma Nelson and Jane Minard.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials.
LEONORA C. PRESZLER
Funeral service for Leonora Preszler, 87, Watertown and formerly of Aberdeen will be 2:00 pm, Monday, April 2, 2012 at the First Reformed Church, Aberdeen. Rev. David Dawn will officiate. Burial following at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Aberdeen. Leonora died on Monday, March 26 at the Watertown Golden Living Center.
Visitation will be from 1:00-7:00 pm with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 pm, Sunday, April 1 at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S. Main Street, Aberdeen.
Leonora Preszler was born Feb. 1, 1925, to August and Alita (Grischkowsky) Heyne on the family farm near Hosmer. She went to school in Hosmer and graduated in 1942 as the class salutatorian. Since there was a teachers shortage due to World War II, she took a teaching job at a country school, where she taught for four years.
She married Roy Preszler June 18, 1944, and they farmed 11 miles east of Eureka. They farmed for 11 years and moved to Aberdeen in 1955. She cleaned houses for people. In 1963, she began selling Avon in northeast Aberdeen and continued selling for 21 years. In 1968, she began employment with the Food Stamp Program and in 1976, she was employed with the WIC Program. She retired in 1990.
After retiring, her life revolved around her children and grandchildren. At that time, her grandchildren ranged in ages 2 to 8, which kept her busy playing ball, flying kites and cooking, especially their favorite German food.
Leonora and Roy were active Eagles Club members and she was president of the Ladies Eagles Auxiliary. They attended Polka and German fests and danced every Saturday night. Each summer, they traveled with her sister and brother-in-law, Selma and Freddie Mohr throughout the United States visiting relatives and seeing the sites. Leonora was a volunteer for St. Luke's Hospital Auxiliary and was active with the Reformed Church Ladies Aid. She sewed quilts and pillows for each grandchild. She enjoyed crocheting, jigsaw puzzles, painting, fishing and camping.
Grateful for having shared her life are her daughter, Brenda (Dave) Solberg of Watertown, SD; her son, Roger (Jeannine) Preszler of Bismarck, ND; her sisters, Selma Mohr of Hosmer, SD, Verna (Ed) Fremole of Phoenix, AZ, Betty (Ben) Loebs of Britton, SD, and Joyce (Milton) Herrboldt of Hosmer, SD; her grandchildren, Tiffany Preszler of Dallas, TX, Matthew Preszler of Bismarck, ND, Colin Preszler of Chicago, IL., and Alex Preszler of Fargo, ND; her sister-in-law, Irene Schnabel of Lodi, CA; and one brother-in-law, DeLano (Marcie) Preszler of Scotland, SD.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Roy of 64 years and her brother-in-law, Freddie Mohr.
LESTER DENNIS
Funeral service for Lester Dennis, 90, long time Mellette farmer will be 10:30 am, Thursday, March 29, 2012 at the Northwestern United Methodist Church in Mellette. Pastor Jon Damaska will officiate. Burial will be in the Mellette Cemetery. Lester died on Monday, March 26, 2012 at Avera St. Lukes Hospital in Aberdeen.
Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 pm, Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S. Main Street, Aberdeen.
Lester Leo Dennis, son of Ross and Rena (Jansen) Dennis was born on April 16, 1921 near Frankfort, SD. He attended school near Frankfort prior to moving to Mellette in 1930. Lester went on to graduate from Mellette High School with the class of 1939. For a short time he went to work in an airplane factory in San Diego, CA prior to moving back to South Dakota to start farming.
Lester was united in marriage to Laura Parrott on June 2, 1945 in Aberdeen. They purchased a farm near Mellette where they made their home for the next 67 years. In 1955 Lester was named the first Outstanding Young Farmer in Spink County. He was a supervisor for the Spink County Conservation District and was also a past director for the South Dakota Wheat Growers Association and Dacotah Bank. Lester was an avid outdoorsmen and especially enjoyed hunting and trapping. He loved his family and treasured the time he spent with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Lester always cherished the times he was able to watch his grandsons play basketball both at Northwestern High School and Northern State University.
Grateful for having shared Lester’s life are his wife Laura, Mellette; daughter Donna (Jim) Boekelheide, Northville; grandchildren, Tami (Ryan) Henke and their children Sam and Ali, Oxbow, ND; Chad (Kris) Boekelheide and their children Derek, Hailey, Jessica and Ella and Scott (Heidi) Boekelheide and their children Ethan and Ty all of Northville.
Lester was preceded in death by his parents Ross and Rena Dennis and one brother Dick Dennis.
Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home of Aberdeen is in charge of arrangements.
JOHANNA REITSMA
The funeral service for Johanna Reitsma, 89, of Aberdeen, will be 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home. Burial will be at Conde Community Cemetery, Conde. Johanna died Friday, March 23, at Aberdeen Health and Rehab.
Visitation will be two hours prior to the funeral on Tuesday at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home 1111 S. Main St.
Johanna Reitsma was born April 24, 1922 to Henry and Jessie (Doma). She grew up in the Conde area and moved to Aberdeen in 1980. She lived at the Homestead Apartments until she moved to Aberdeen Health and Rehab in 2001.
Johanna was active in the Conde American Legion Auxiliary while she lived in the area. She was a very friendly lady and made friends where ever she went. Once she moved into Aberdeen Health and Rehab she enjoyed participating in arts and crafts projects and sharing her candy with others. She has been very instrumental in recruiting and encouraging others to participate in the Sunday morning Church services there at the Center. She made herself available to anyone who needed a friend or a prayer.
Grateful for having shared Johanna’s life are her niece, Julie (Neal) Wietgrefe, and nephews, Jerome (Debra) Hansen, and David (Sheila) Hansen, and all her friends and the staff at Aberdeen Health and Rehab
Johanna was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Jessie Reitsma, her brother, Oliver Terpstra, sister, Clara Hansen, her twin sister, Mary Reitsma and one niece, Deborah (Hansen) Mohr.
GORDON O. PALMER
The funeral service for Gordon O. Palmer, 77, of Mellette, SD, will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday March 27, 2012 at Northwestern United Methodist Church, Mellette, with Pastor Jon Damaska officiating. Gordon died Friday, March 23, 2012 at Bethesda Home of Aberdeen. Burial will follow at Mellette Cemetery, Mellette, SD.
Visitation will be from 1-7 p.m., with family present from 5-7 p.m., Monday, March 26 at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S. Main St., Aberdeen.
Gordon Odegaard Palmer was born January 10, 1935 at Mellette, SD, to Harold “Hans” and Myrtle Jane (Odegaard) Palmer. He attended school in Mellette and graduated from Mellette High School in 1953. He then attended South Dakota State University, and Northern State College.
On May 8, 1958, Gordon was united in marriage to Lois Kittlesland and settled in Mellette. Two sons were added to this union. Gordon started farming in high school, and worked for his father delivering gas. He started farming again in 1959. Gordon and Lois bought a farm 3½ miles east of Mellette in 1965.
Gordon served many years on the Mellette Township Board and the Spink County Soil Conservation Board. He was a member of the Mellette Fire Department, was active in the Mellette Methodist Church and served on the Church Board. He later attended Northwestern United Methodist Church and was a “sidewalk engineer,” as the church was being built.
Gordon enjoyed hunting, fishing, and bird watching. He was concerned with caring for the land and conservation was very important to him. Gordon was an avid woodworker. Above all he enjoyed spending time with family, especially watching his son’s sporting events and later attending his grandchildren’s activities.
Grateful for having shared Gordon’s life are his wife Lois, sons Roger (Amy) Palmer, and Charles Palmer, all of Mellette, grandchildren Nathan Palmer and Hannah Palmer, sister Pat (Kenny) Lillemoe, Aberdeen and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Jane Blake, and infant sister Marlene Palmer.
JUDY REZATTO
The memorial service for Judy Rezatto, 64, of Aberdeen, will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 26, 2012 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Father Michael Kelly, celebrant. Judy died Thursday, March 22, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital.
Visitation is 3:00-7:00 p.m., with family present from 5:00-7:00 p.m., and a Wake service at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 25, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Judy Peterson was born on May 22, 1947 to George and Dorthea (Enning) Peterson at Sioux Falls, SD. She grew up and attended school there. Judy was a tremendous athlete and had a try out in junior high for the Olympic softball throw in Sioux Falls.
Judy married Brian J. Rezatto on May 30, 1970 in Sioux Falls. She graduated from University of South Dakota in 1970 with her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. Judy and Brian moved to Aberdeen where she coached swimming for 10 years. She coached the last Aberdeen swim team to win the South Dakota State Swim Meet. She coached tennis for 20 years at Roncalli and was named Coach of the Year in 2007. Judy was inducted into the South Dakota Tennis Hall of Fame in 2012. She was an avid golfer and once shot par golfing left handed and then shot par golfing right handed on the same round. Judy was active at the Aberdeen YMCA where she taught many classes including boxing and aerobics. She was also a past board member at the YMCA and served on the board of the Boys and Girls Club.
Grateful for having shared Judy’s life are her husband, Brian, two sons, Brett (Mandy) Rezatto and Justin Rezatto (Sara Arbach), all of Aberdeen. two grandchildren, Reese and Ryder Rezatto, and two brothers, George (Gunna) Peterson, Sioux Falls, and Jim (Dianne) Peterson, Colorado Springs, CO.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents, George and Dorthea and one brother, Bill Peterson.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to go to the “Judy Rezatto Roncalli Tennis Memorial Fund, c/o Dacotah Bank, PO Box 1560, Aberdeen, SD 57402-1560.
GERTRUDE EVELYN LUCAS GULLICKSON
The funeral service for Gertrude Evelyn Lucas Gullickson of Aberdeen will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 29, 2012 at Evangelical Lutheran Church, Langford with Reverend Charles Bunk officiating. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery Langford. Gertrude passed away Monday, March 19, 2012 at Angelhaus of Aberdeen.
Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 28, at Spitzer Funeral Home, 1111 S. Main St., and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Gertrude Evelyn Lucas was born on April 28, 1920 near Andover to Evert and Carrie Downing Lucas. Gertrude graduated from Pierpont High School in 1937. Gertrude worked at The Potter Store in Andover following high school graduation and also at a retail business in Aberdeen.
On Sept 23, 1940, Gertrude married Marvin Gullickson at Milbank. She and Marvin lived and worked in Milbank before moving to Everett, WA where they worked together at the Boeing Aircraft Plant. In 1948, they purchased the Gullickson Hardware Store in Langford and worked there together until they retired in 1986. In 1998 they moved to Aberdeen and in 2007, moved into the Bethesda Home of Aberdeen. Following Marvin’s death on July 4, 2008, Gertrude moved to Angelhaus in Aberdeen. Gertrude was a member of Evangelical Lutheran Church, Langford, and later Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Aberdeen. Gertrude was a member of Eastern Star, American Legion Auxiliary, the Langford Book Club, was a long time church choir member and was active in women’s groups at Langford Evangelical Church throughout the time she lived in Langford.
In addition to working beside Marvin in the hardware store, Gertrude was known as being a loving and devoted mother to her four children. Gertrude was also well known for her ability to serve wonderful meals. No one could best “Grandma’s buns” or famous potato salad. She was patient, kind, loving and had a quiet grace.
Grateful for having shared her life are her children: Greg (Sandy) Gullickson, Aiken, SC, Marvel (Larry Fosholt) Rich, Peoria, AZ, Lynn (Joe) Gednalske, River Falls, WI, Jeffrey Gullickson, Salt Lake City, UT, grandchildren: Matthew (Melissa) Gullickson, Michael (Melissa) Gullickson, Mark Rich, Jeffrey (Rebecca) Rich, Aaron (Brittany) Rich, Kent (Brandi) Gednalske, Kirk Gednalske, Ashley Gullickson, Anthony Gullickson, great grandchildren: Grant, Luke, Wade and Jack Gullickson, Jacob Gullickson, Blake, Mason, Teigan and Aabri Rich, two nephews: Roland and Alan Potter and families.
Gertrude was preceded in death by her parents, Evert and Carrie Lucas, her sister Winifred Potter, and her husband, Marvin.
ARLAN EUGENE SCHLENKER
The Memorial Service for Arlan Schlenker 61, Huron, will be 1:00 pm, Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S. Main Street, Aberdeen, Pastor Hyle Anderson officiating. Arlan died Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at his home in Huron.
Arlan Eugene Schlenker was born on August 25, 1950 to Arthur and Paulina (Kirschenmann) Schlenker in Britton SD. His family was living in Houghton, SD where Arlan began his schooling. In 1957 the family moved to Groton, SD where Arlan attended school through the eighth grade.
Arlan worked as a farm hand at Oliver Farms in Groton SD, and later for Darwin Fox Farms in Bancroft SD. He later went on to work as grounds maintenance at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds in Huron SD where he remained until being forced to retire due to health. In his spare time, Arlan spent his time outdoors where he enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Grateful for having shared Arlan’s life are brother, Arthur Schlenker Jr., Cheyenne WY, sister Arlene Bain, Aberdeen SD, sister Arla Weifenbach, Aurora SD, 18 nephews and nieces, 44 great nieces and nephews and many cousins. Arlan was preceded in death by his parents, sister Ardis Pietz, one infant sister and one great nephew.
