Alta Gorman
June 20, 1926 ~ August 8, 2011
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Alta May Gorman, 85, of Gettysburg, passed away, Monday, August
8, 2011 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 13, 2011 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Gettysburg, with Pastor Daniel Tews officiating. Burial followed in the Gettysburg Cemetery. Visitation was held from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, August 12, 2011 with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Luce Funeral Home in Gettysburg.
Alta May Stockstad was born June 20, 1926 at Gettysburg, SD to Marten Joseph and Marion Adora (Miles) Stockstad. She attended country school in Sully County and graduated from Gettysburg High School in 1945. Alta went to work at the Sunset Café with Carl Schiefelbein.
On June 3, 1954 Alta married William Lee Gorman in Gettysburg. Following her marriage to Lee, Alta helped farm in the Gorman area until going to work at the Five Mile Corner Café with Florence McKinnon She then went to work for Donn Quiett at the Medicine Rock Café, Gettysburg Municipal Liquor Store, and she managed the Sage Motel from April 1977 until December 1993. Over the years, Alta also worked for Langslet and Luce Funeral Homes.
In May 1960, Alta was baptized into the Lutheran Faith. She was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, the VFW Auxiliary, the American Legion Auxiliary, and the Medicine Rock Senior Center. Alta enjoyed her daily trips to the Medicine Rock Café and Gettysburg Bakery where she was able to have coffee and visit with friends.
In August 2009, Alta moved to Pierre due to health complications. She resided at the Dakota Heritage House until the time of her death.
Alta’s life will be cherished by her children: Annabelle (Chip) Kline of Tombstone, AZ, Ross (Biff) Gorman of Douglas, WY and Wanda (Lester) Gershmel of Cheyenne, WY; her five grandchildren: Gene (Lori) and Jamie (Nancy) Huyck of Gillette, WY, Robert (Mandy) Gershmel of Cheyenne, WY, Tiffany (Cameron) Dean of Wheatland, WY and Geoffrey Gorman of Douglas, WY; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Joe Stockstad on March 3, 1974 and Marion Stockstad on November 16, 2000; her husband Lee on March 17, 1992; two brothers: Melvin on January 20, 1975 and Charles Jay Stockstad on April 24, 2006; and one great grandson, David Huyck on March 10, 1995.
The family requests that memorials be directed to the Medicine Rock Senior Center, 107 W Logan, Gettysburg, SD 57442.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Alta’s arrangements.
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I will never forget Alta (Ma Gorman). The winkle in her eyes, a contagious smile and a memory that never diminished. To an important lady I have known and loved all my life.
You will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing you.
My deepest sympathy to Ross,Wanda, and Annabell. Alta was a wonderful kind person. She was a second “grandma” to all my kids. They still talk about her banana bread! NO question that she is walking with the angels!
My thoughts are with you – I remember Alta was a wonderful cook. Always enjoyed 4-H meetings at her home because of the good treats!
Andrea and I join your many friends in Selected Independent Funeral Homes in extending our sympathy. May your many wonderful memories of Mrs. Gorman help to give you comfort and peace.
I will always remember Mrs. Gorman for her kindness and how nice she treated my wife, Lynn and I when we came back for Mr. Gorman’s funeral. We stopped at the motel and she had to make sure we had something to eat. I’m so glad I stopped and visited with here in Pierre the day my mother died. The entire Gorman family will stay in our thoughts and prayers.
My sympathy to all of Alta’s family. Use to enjoy visiting with her when she came to visit her Mother at the Manor. Sincerely,
Marcelline Hunnel
Ross,
We were sorry to hear of your loss. Though in the business, it is still difficult to lose a loved one. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God Bless!
Ross,Wanda our sympathy goes out to you all on the loss of your mother. So glad I was able to see her for the last time. I have many memories of Alta from making us banana bread to her and Dolores visiting on the phone every day at 7:00. She was a great caring lady. Cherish all the memories and laughters.
Bart,Carmen,paige,Preston Worth
Sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
to Alta”s Family
we would like you all to know you are in our thoughts and prayers we send our deepest simpathy to all of you .
she was a wonderful Lady she will be greatly missed.
in simpathy Jeff & Jeanelle Sautner Schaefer
Even though we were not blood related, you always treated us like we were one of your grand kids, we grew up calling you Grandma, and always coming to see when we made it to Gettysburg, you will be miss by all.
The Kelly’s
I got to know Alta more when she visited her Mother at our Manor. She was so proud of her family and shared news of them often. She touched so many lives in her life and was such an upbeat woman. Gettysburg was always important to her. Our prayers to her entire family. God bless you all.
My sympathies go out to Alta’s family. I had the pleasure of working with Alta at the Sage Motel for a few summers several years ago. She made cleaning rooms fun! It was good seeing her when I would come back to Gettysburg for a visit.
Ross,
My sympathy to you and your family at this time of loss.
-Amy
Ross,
I am sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom. May you find comfort in your memories of her.
Wanda & Les,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in your time of sorrow.
With our deepest sympathy.
Love
Jack & Agnes
Wanda and les and family.thinking of you in this time of sorrow. your in our thoughts and prayers
Bob Sheila
Wanda and Les we are thinking of you and your family in this time of sorrow
Bob and Sheila
Wanda and Les we send our deepest sympathy to all of you. May the Dear Lord Give you the Grace that is needed at this Sad time. with our sympathy Bob and Sheila Auske
Wanda you and your family have my heartfelt sympathy in this loss of you mom. Let me know if I can be of any help to you.
Our sympathy and prayers to Alta’s family. Alta was the neatest little lady. Always a smile and a good word to share. I will always remember her wonderful banana bread! May the good Lord hold you all in his hands and give you only the peace that he can.
Our sympaty and prayers go out to Alta’s family and friends. She was so thoughtfull and generous when our mom was in the Manor and we stayed at the Sage.
We have lots of great memories starting with Alta’s parents and with you, children of Alta. Yes, I agree she was a wonderful cook. I remember the angelfood cakes she and her mother made! Our sympathies to you and your families. Staying with grandchildren in Pierre so will not be able to attend the funeral but our thoughts are with you. Her smile and laughing eyes will shine in Heaven. God bless!
Ross and family; Sorry to hear about your mother. I know you have special memories of your mother. Thinking of you, Bob
Wanda: So sorry for your loss. Please know that I have been thinking about you. Sending prayers your way.
Amanda (Toennies) Rawden
I am so sorry to learn about your loss. Please know that you are not alone. God will be with you to comfort and strengthen you. Keep his promises close to your heart. His Word assures us that our loved ones will truly be remembered and soon they will be brought back to life here, on earth, in an earthly paradise. (John 5:28,29) Please accept my deepest sympathies and my prayer for peace for you and your entire family.