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Herma Marsdenof Wall, South Dakota, died on Saturday, August 6, 2005
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Herma R. Durst was born October 23, 1920 in Hot Springs, South Dakota, the daughter of Howard Roy and Myrtle Janet (Jolly) Durst. She grew up in Custer and graduated from Custer High School in 1938. She then attended Black Hills State Teachers College, where she received her teaching certificate.
Herma was united in marriage to Kenneth Pittman on December 28, 1940. Kenny, a pilot, was killed in action in World War II in 1944.
Herma returned to BHSTC, where she earned her bachelor’s degree, then she taught elementary school in Custer until 1948. She was united in marriage to Robert (Bob) Dale Marsden on August 1, 1948 in Custer, SD. They made their home on Robert’s parent’s ranch east of Wasta. Herma continued her teaching career and taught in Wall for one year and was a substitute teacher for many years. Bob and Herma later purchased the ranch and continued to operate it until retiring in 1979. Herma took an active role in operation of the ranch, particularly during periods Bob was incapacitated. They continued to reside on the ranch until 1989, when they moved their house to Wall to its present location.
Herma was a member of the Wall Methodist Church, where she was a long-time member of the Memorial Committee, served on many other committees, and taught Sunday School. She was a member of Carroll McDonald American Legion Auxiliary Unit # 246, where she held all local offices, served as district president, and also held various state offices. She was a member of the Golden Link Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star of Rapid City and was past matron of Wonderland Chapter of Wall. She served as den mother for cub scouts when her boys were young. She was a member of PEO Chapter AW in Custer, the Naja Temple Shrine Auxiliary, the Crooked Creek Extension Club, the Art Guild, the Wall Chamber of Commerce, and the Catalyst Club of Western South Dakota. She served as secretary and "tail twister" in the Lions Club. In recognition of her years of service to her neighbors and community, Herma received the Catalyst Club’s Good Neighbor Award in 1994, an award she was particularly proud of.
Grateful for having shared her life are her sons Lloyd Marsden (Diane) of Sheridan, WY; Roy Marsden (Judy Baker) of Cambridge, WI; and Tom Marsden (Anna Henrickson) of Rapid City; her daughter Janet Kyte (Frank) of Arlington Heights, IL; her grandchildren Melanie Marsden (Joe Loetscher) of Colorado Springs, CO; Valerie Simpson (David) of Rapid City; Kenneth Marsden (Elizabeth Sharp) of Idaho Falls, ID; Jeremiah Marsden (Moira Querns) of Eugene, OR; Jenny Wiedeman (Robert) of Rapid City; Allison Kyte (Joe Yech) of Downers Grove, IL; Rob Kyte of Chicago, IL; and Joseph Marsden of Cambridge, WI; her great-grandchildren Elliott and Charles Kenneth Marsden, Delaney Marsden-Loetscher, and Joshua and Joelle Simpson; her sisters, Naomi Bowden of Athens, GA; June Tanner (Al) of Durango, CO; Ester McGinnis (R.H.) of Portland, OR; and Carol Durst (Dan Winther) of Monarch Beach, CA; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Herma was predeceased by her parents, her husbands, Kenneth Pittman and Robert Marsden, her sons K.C. and Edward Alan, her sister Amy Durst McAvoy, and her brother Harry Durst.
Closed-casket visitation was held 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 11, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Friday.
Funeral services were held 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 12, at the United Methodist Church in Wall, with Rev. Brad Kattelman officiating.
Interment with Eastern Star services were in the Wall Cemetery.
A memorial is established to the Black Hills Playhouse, P.O. Box 2513, Rapid City, SD 57709.
FUNERAL SERVICES
Friday, August 12, 2005 10:30 a.m.
United Methodist Church
Wall, South Dakota
CLERGY
Rev. Brad Kattelmann
MUSIC
Dorothy Shearer – Pianist
Vocalists:
Janet Kyte – Roy Marsden – Lloyd Marsden
Jenny Wiedeman – David Simpson – Tom Marsden
"In The Garden"
"Perhaps Love"
Congregational Hymns
"Rock of Ages" #361
"Amazing Grace" #378
USHERS
Jerry Johannesen – Bill Leonard – Bernard Foster
PALLBEARERS
Melanie Marsden – Joe Loetscher
Valerie Simpson – David Simpson
Kenneth Marsden – Elizabeth Sharp Marsden
Jeremiah Marsden – Moira Querns
Jenny Wiedeman – Robert Wiedeman
Allison Kyte – Joe Yech
Rob Kyte – Joseph Marsden
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Wall Cemetery
Wall, South Dakota
FUNERAL SERVICES
Friday, August 12, 2005 10:30 a.m.
United Methodist Church
Wall, South Dakota