Myrtle Nelson Bagdonas

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 17, 2009 at the United Church of Faulkton with Pastor Paul Smith officiating. Burial followed in the Faulkton Cemetery. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Myrtle Alice Chambers was born May 10, 1912 to Ernest Adam and Lena Agatha (Medeck) Chambers at Yankton, SD. At an early age the family moved to the Burkmere, South Dakota area. She received her education in the rural schools and parochial school at Zell, attending high school in Faulkton. She continued to live on the farm with her family until her marriage.

On November 3, 1937 she married Ole Nelson in International Falls, Minnesota where they established their first home. To this union two children were born at International Falls. During World War II, Ole was employed in the defense plants in Washington and Oregon. They returned to Loyalton, SD where they managed a tavern for her brother in the service. They then moved to the Burkmere area where they farmed until moving to Guthrie, MN in 1947. Another daughter joined the family while living there. They returned to the Burkmere area in 1952, moving into Faulkton in 1954. Myrtle was employed at the John P. Shirk Home in Faulkton for 22 years until the death of Ole in 1973. At that time she moved to Broomfield, CO to be near her son.

On November 19, 1977 she married Joseph Bagdonas at Lafayette, CO. Joseph passed away on November 8, 1990. She continued to make her home there until 1991 at which time she returned to Faulkton. In 1994 she moved to Aberdeen to be near family. She was presiding at Mother Joseph Manor in Aberdeen since that time.

Survivors include her daughters: Gladys (Francis) Church of Aberdeen and Alice Schekel of Gettysburg; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one brother, Willard Chambers of Faulkton; two sisters: Ruby Aesoph of Brush, CO and Frances Marsala of Pinellas Park, FL and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; son, Martin Nelson; son-in-law, Leonard Schekel; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Myrtle's arrangements.

CLERGY
Pastor Paul Smith

CASKETBEARERS
Dale Church
Paul Church
Mark Church
Gary Thornbrue
Roger Weifenbach
Donald Brockel
Michael Dennis
Terry Brockel

HONORARY CASKETBEARERS
Barbara Church
JoAnn Weifenbach
Melanie Brockel
Theresa Dennis
Katlin Nelson
Nathan Brockel
Jonathan Weifenbach
Mychael Thornbrue
Krystina Church
Brittani Church
Brianna Dennis

USHERS
Harold Hadrick
Robert Cooper

ORGANIST
Marlene Hammond

VOCALIST
Jerry Bowar

MUSIC SELECTIONS
"Blessed Assurance"
"What a Friend We Have In Jesus"
"Old Rugged Cross"
"Softly and Tenderly, Jesus is Calling"

INTERMENT
Faulkton Cemetery
Faulkton, South Dakota