Noreen Gibson

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Noreen Gibson, 77, of Highmore, passed away, Thursday, April 30, 2015 at her home in Highmore.

Funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 7, 2015 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Highmore, with Pastor Sheena Thomson officiating. Burial followed at the Highmore Cemetery. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 6, 2015 with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, all at Luze Funeral Home, Highmore.

Hazel Noreen Converse was born June 19, 1937 in Gettysburg SD. She was the fourth of six children born to Miles and Lueva (Shrader) Converse. Noreen graduated from Harrold High School in 1955.

Noreen had met a young man from Highmore, Alvin Gibson. She did not know what to think of him at first, but they soon fell in love and were married July 2, 1955. Then a real “journey” began with their family of three children.

Noreen was a devoted wife and mother. During the many years Alvin worked on power line construction, every morning Noreen had breakfast ready, a lunch packed, and a kiss for Alvin, along with the words, “Be careful!” Many times Alvin’s job took him to work away from his family, and Noreen was by herself raising the three children. Often she got a call with short notice, “Pack up – we’re moving!” She became the master packer as they moved from South Dakota to North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and New York. Each state held special memories, such as white water rafting in New York.

To Noreen, family was all important, and she always put others ahead of herself. She was organized in just about everything; she had her list of birthdays and anniversaries, plus Christmas, Easter and Valentine’s Day, when you could count on a card with a few caring words written in there. She was so good about writing her letters to let friends and family know what was going on.

Noreen loved to bowl, and everywhere they moved she would ask if they had a bowling alley and then join a team. She was an avid reader, and frequented the local libraries. Scrabble and crossword puzzles were other ways she loved to challenge herself and keep on learning. Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune were two of her favorite shows, and you could never say the answer before she did. Some other pastimes were Japanese Bunka embroidery and rolling dice with friends. Noreen was very skilled at sewing, making many outfits for her girls, and altering clothing for her nieces. She also sewed many Barbie doll outfits.

Noreen loved the times she and Alvin spent with her sister Alyce and her family in Darlington, SC. She also loved being with her sister Madge in New Underwood, SD, during their time at Hunters’ Haven pheasant farm. With Noreen’s favorite color being red, it is no surprise that her favorite bird was the cardinal.

Noreen was a 23 year survivor of cancer. She was very proud to be honored by Steps for Hope. Her doctor called her his miracle patient. It was not in Noreen’s nature to feel sorry for herself or to give up.

Survivors include: son, Curtis Gibson (Betty Wagner) of Highmore; daughters: Carla (Don) McGregor of Pierre, and Christi (Mike) Riley of Highmore; grandchildren: Laurel (Andy) Sharp, Marc McGregor (Samantha Krier), Curtis Wayne Riley (Beth Zilverberg), all of Pierre; and Shauna Riley (Michael Moran) of Houston, TX; great-grandchildren: Harper Riley and Avery Sharp; mother-in-law, Lucille Gibson of Highmore; sisters: Alyce Stengel of Darlington, SC and Diana (David) Carr of Forest Hill, CA; sisters-in-law: Anna Mae (Paul) Ryan of Lancaster, CA, Sharon (Dick) Wilson of Sioux Falls, and Rosa Lee Gibson of Kansas City, MO; brothers-in-law: Gary Gibson and Allen (De) Gibson, all of Highmore; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Noreen was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin; parents, Miles and Lueva Converse; father-in-law, Bryan Gibson; sister, Madge Marso; brothers, Harry and Rolly Converse; sisters-in-law, Alice and Sonny Converse; and brothers-in-law: Wesley Stengel, Terry Marso, and Merlin Gibson.

Noreen’s strength, caring and unconditional love will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Noreen’s arrangements.