Alma Martin
August 19, 1914 ~ March 25, 2009
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 30, 2009 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Highmore with Father Paul Nereparmpil officiating. Burial was in St. John's Cemetery, Wagner. Visitation was held from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, March 29, 2009 at Luze Funeral Home with a 7:30 p.m. wake and rosary service at the church.
Alma was born August 19, 1914, in Lesterville, SD to Thomas J. and Lillian (Janda) Wagner. She received her elementary education in Lesterville and graduated from Wagner High School in 1932. Alma graduated from Creighton University of Nursing.
Alma married Harry Martin of Charleston, WV in San Diego, CA. The next 20 years were spent at various ports of call while Harry was in the Navy. They settled in Wagner, SD in 1957 and lived there until moving to Highmore, SD in 1964 where they built and managed the Plamor Lanes.
She was a member of St. Mary’s Altar Society, Catholic Daughters of America and the American Legion Auxiliary.
Alma will be remembered for her many gifts of kindness. Family and friends enjoyed receiving the many cards and letters written by her throughout the years. She spent many hours watching sports and was an avid Chicago Cubs fan.
Survivors include children Patricia of Vancouver, British Columbia, Pamela (Tom) Durfee of Highmore, SD, Paula Bartunek of Hawarden, IA, Jerry of Las Vegas, NV; 8 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law Wilma Wagner of Sioux Falls, SD.
Alma was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son John, son-in-law Jerry Bartunek, brother Lambert, and sister Hermina.
Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Alma's arrangements.
MINISTER
Father Paul Nereparmpil
CASKETBEARERS
Tom Durfee
Doug Durfee
Robert Bartunek
John Bartunek
Jim Leyden
Paul Smith
Myles Newberry
David Tramp
ORGANIST
Katherine Hieb
SOLOIST
Marcia McCorkell
"Amazing Grace"
"On Eagles Wings"
GUEST BOOK
Marlene Nemec
FLOWERBEARERS
Alma's Family
ALTAR SERVERS
Kacie McCauley
Dani McCauley
LECTORS
Sandi Smith
Nancy Newberry
Joan Leyden
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I am so sorry to hear of Alma passing. She was such a good person . I remember the bowling alley when they ran it. All of us kids would hang out there waiting for our folks to get done bowling or after games. it was great for all of us and they made it GREAT. I would somtimes stop with groceries and she loved to visit. She will be missed.
So sorry to hear of your loss…God bless and comfort you all.
The Days
Alma is just one of the best people I have ever known. I am confident that she is with God. Her faith in handling the most challenging difficulties was inspiration to me and to many others. You are all in my prayers.
Fr. Dave Axtmann
Jerry, good to talk to you. Will look you up on the next trip to Vegas. Again our condolences on the passing of your mom. Take are old buddy.
My condolences to Alma’s family from my siblings and myself.
Alma and our mom, Edith T. Rokusek Post..born Oct. 1, 1914 in Lesterville, S.D… were life long friends. Mom died in January of 2006. She always looked forward to Alma’s Christmas letter!
God Bless!
Mary Post-Rhomberg
Frank, John and Mark Post
Joan Post Taplett
Jerry and sisters, my sympathies in your mom’s passing. She was someone who made a difference to a lot of people in Highmore, both young and old. I know my parents always enjoyed conversations with her. As a teenager selling yearbook ads, I always looked forward to seeing Alma. Your mom made me feel older and wiser than I was.