Jule Eidam

Jule A. Eidam, 86, of Forest City, SD, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at Avera Maryhouse, Pierre.

Funeral services was held at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, March 19, 2017, at the Masonic Temple in Gettysburg, with Rev. Judy Flagstad presiding. Burial followed in the Gettysburg Cemetery.

Jule A. Eidam was born June 27, 1930 to Carl and Clara (Njos) Te Poel at the ranch on Irish Creek, southwest of Isabel, SD. Jule and her six siblings rode horse or walked 2.5 miles across the prairie to Grondahl School. She graduated from Timber Lake High School in 1949. She attended school in Omaha for music and bookkeeping, but returned home to care for her ailing mom and siblings. She worked for P.M.A. (Farm Service Agency) and R.E.A (Rural Electric Association) in Timber Lake.

She married Orlow Eidam on Feb. 27, 1954. They lived in Panama where Orlow was an army helicopter mechanic. Following his time in the service, they returned to the family farm and started “Rivers Edge Snack Bar” to serve the men who were building the bridge over the Missouri River. Three children were born to them at Forest City.

In 1959, they moved to a new home overlooking the river. They started “Rivers Edge Campground in the 1960’s. Orlow and Jule operated a farm/ranch together until Orlow’s passing in 2007. She continued to farm with her son, Keith and family, doing bookwork and enjoying flowers, bird watching, pheasants and deer in her yard.

Orlow and Jule both graduated from the Dale Carnegie course. Orlow held morning prayer services and Jule played the organ for the Episcopal Church. She was also a member of the Eastern Star, SD Cattlewomen, and American Legion.

Jule is survived by her three children: Keith (Peg) Eidam and their three children - Cory, Andrea (fiancé Will and her son Ethan), and Mariah; Katherine Eidam-Osterloh and her three children - Rick (special friend, Alexandria and his three children Ebony, Ava Daisy, and Isaac), Dominic, and Jesse; Kristen (Bob) Rausch and their three children – Nick (his three children Tyler, Owen, and Brittney), Johanna (Brian) Nickelson (their two children Wyatt and Dalton), Anthony (Cari and their three children Garrett, Gavin, and Regan).

Jule was preceded in death by her husband, Orlow, in 2007; her mother, Clara; and father, Carl; five siblings; and great granddaughter, Kelly Lynn.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to the Salvation Army, 1003 6^th Ave. SW, Aberdeen, SD 57401, and Keep Hope Local, c/o Stacy Larson, 127 Hilltop Dr., Gettysburg, SD 57442

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Jule’s arrangements.