Marla Lesmeister

Marla M. Lesmeister, 83, of Piedmont and formerly of Gettysburg and Eagle Butte, passed away Friday, November 11, 2016 at her home in Piedmont.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:00 a.m. MST, Thursday, November 17, 2016 at All Saints Catholic Church, Eagle Butte. Burial followed in the United Eagle Butte Cemetery. A rosary service was held at 7:00 p.m. MST, Wednesday November 16, 2016 at the church in Eagle Butte.

Marla Marie Johnson was born on January 15, 1933 at Gettysburg, SD to Ralph and Edith (Lemler) Johnson. She received her education at Fayette Rural School and graduated from Gettysburg High School in 1950. She attended Northern State Teachers College and received a two-year degree in education. She taught school in Walworth and Potter County before her marriage.

She was united in marriage to Louie Lesmeister on May 14, 1954 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Gettysburg. They resided on a family farm near Parade, SD and purchased the farm from his mother where they made their home and raised their family of one daughter and two sons.

Through the years their home was full of many young people who were very important and special to the couple. Some who stayed longer than others were her youngest brother-in-law, Lawrence Lesmeister, Robert Condon, Mike Frederick and Betsy Jewett Mitchell. They also hosted two exchange students, one from Finland and one from Switzerland who returned to visit on his honeymoon.

After the children were all in school, Marla taught school at Ridgeview and substituted at Cheyenne Eagle Butte. She spent 14 years as the Assistant Editor of the Eagle Butte News, later working as a bookkeeper at the Tri-County Water at Eagle Butte.

After the death of her husband, Louie, in 1995, she moved to Gettysburg, SD to make her home. She joined the staff of the Potter County News working in the production department for a period of 14 years.

She was a life member of the Parade Community Club and was one of the driving forces who helped to raise the money to build the new community building. She was a member of the Altar Society, taught CCD classes, was a member of the All Saints and Sacred Heart Catholic Churches, Dakota Club Library member, a member of the 4-H Leaders Association and was an active member of the original Combined School Board at Eagle Butte. Marla was instrumental in the building of the Eagle Butte Community Clinic. She was also the 1987 Mystery Snowman and the 1989 Citizen of the Year at Eagle Butte.

She was a life member of the VFW Auxiliary and American Legion Auxiliary and held offices in both organizations. She was also on the Medicine Rock Senior Citizens Board of Directors and was awarded and honored by being the Legionette of the Year twice.

She enjoyed all of her family. She was an avid rodeo fan. She timed many SDRA Rodeos and loved watching her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and neighbor kids participate.

She also enjoyed playing cards, especially bridge and pinochle, bowling, rodeo, baseball, basketball, wrestling, embroidery, crocheting and working crossword puzzles. She loved having a full house, whether it was family or friends.

Many of her nieces and nephews received an afghan or booties when their babies were born. And many, many people received her famous schnapps and her crocheted washcloths in the recent years.

She loved to dance and not only taught her own children to dance but many of the neighbor children as well.

She is survived by her daughters, JoLynn (Jerry) Lueras, Piedmont, and Betsy (Donnie) Mitchell of Eagle Butte; sons, Lance (Roni) Lesmeister and Oren (Tracy) Lesmeister of Eagle Butte, Robert (Lisa) Condon, Laurel, MT and Mike (Terry) Frederick, Waubay; 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; one sister, Linda (Darrel) Simon, Gettysburg; sister-in-law, Mary Helen (Keith) Starks, Aberdeen; brothers-in-law, Marcus (Audrey) Lesmeister, Mobridge and Lawrence (Charlotte) Lesmeister, Deadwood; special nephew, Mike (Marcy) Lesmeister of Eagle Butte; along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

The family would like to give special thanks to Marla’s grandson, Ryan (Serra) Schrempp and children, Cade and Ashlee for looking out for his grandma while she lived in Piedmont. Also to her son-in-law, Jerry Lueras, for all of his kind deeds and caring nature.

She was preceded in death by her parents; infant sister and brother; brother, Howard; foster brother, Ray Johnson; and her husband, Louie in 1995.

Memorials may be directed to the Gettysburg American Legion Auxiliary.

Luce Funeral Chapel of Eagle Butte has been entrusted with Marla’s arrangements.