Mary Kjerstad Obituary

Mary Jean (Winkowitsch) Kjerstad, 92, of Quinn, South Dakota passed away peacefully at her home north of Quinn and went to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 22, 2020. She was born March 24, 1927 at the hospital in White, South Dakota to Ben and Grace (Buseman) Winkowitsch. She was the fifth of eleven children. She attended country school up through the 8th grade.

When she was 16 years old, she was united in marriage to Konrad Kjerstad at the court house in Rapid City, SD on November 12, 1943. Her brother George and his fiancé, Helen, were their witnesses. At this time, Mary began her lifelong dedication to her evening writing in her diary about the happenings of the day. She continued this up until three days before her death.

Konrad and Mary purchased the homestead from his parents, Emil and Gurine, and lived all their married life farming and ranching. To this union two sons and five daughters were born: Vergil, Sandra, Clayton, Debra, Twila, Sherri, and Sharla.

On May 28, 1972, Mary and Konrad dedicated their lives to the Lord and served Him faithfully. She loved gardening along with canning and preserving food for her family. Cooking, baking, flowers and birds were all things she enjoyed. Hospitality was always a part of her life. Her greatest joy was spending time with family and friends. Her sister Marge spent 74 years with our family, helping each other until Mom’s passing. “I love you” was always the last thing she told her family when they left.

Grateful for having shared her life are her children, Vergil (Judy) Kjerstad of Rapid City, Sandra (Tom) Ehle of Duluth, Minnesota, Debra (Lee) Neville of Rapid City, Twila Kjerstad of Quinn, Sherri (Dave) Forman of Austin, Minnesota, and Sharla (Gerald) Julson of Quinn; daughter-in-law, Charlene Kjerstad of Wall; and sisters, Marge Winkowitsch of Quinn and Vera (Dennis) Bochmann of Oakdale, California. She was blessed to have 24 grandchildren, Angela (Titus) Welflen, Adam (Diana) Kjerstad, Shanda (Brian) Thompson, Christie (Jim) Erickson, Cathie Ehle, Troy (Siobhan) Ehle, Rachel (Darin) Buhmann, Brennan (Laurie) Kjerstad, Jordon (Rachel) Kjerstad, Conrad (Kalie) Kjerstad, Muriel (Jeremy) Nehl, Amanda (Lukasz) Stanczyk, Luke (Jennifer) Neville, Eric (Alana) Neville, Lynsy (Kyle) Brink, McKenzie Forman, Marc (Alexis) Forman, Daniel Forman, Brian (Sarah) Forman, Gerad (Megan) Julson, Jake (Chastity) Julson, Becky (Ben) Smith, Andrew (Britta) Julson and Ross Julson; 54 great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Grace Winkowitsch; husband, Konrad on February 8, 2004; son, Clayton on September 3, 2018; brothers, George, John, Robert, and Ben Winkowitsch; and sisters, Lila Kjerstad, Dorothy Dupee, Avis Severson and Mavis as an infant.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 2, 2020 at the Wall Community Center with Pastor Chris Clark officiating assisted by Jake Julson.

Interment will follow at the Mt. Hope Cemetery near Quinn.

Guest Book

To all of Mary and Conrad's Family, our deepest condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all and may God Comfort you and Heal your hearts! I remember times when Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma Kjerstad were alive and the Kjerstad family got together at your folks' quonset for family gatherings and such good food. We always had a baseball game at these gatherings. It was such a special time for all of us. My mom was Dorothy Kjerstad Denke and her folks were Melvin and Ike Kjerstad. Sending love and Blessings Patrick Denke near Reno, Nevada.

~ Patrick Denke and Maggie Denke Sun Valley, Nevada (3/9/2020)

We are sad to hear of Mary passing but know we need to celebrate her great life. Your family has always been some of best friends and
neighbors. Sending our love and prayers.
~ Tom and Kamie Carmichael Oakland, Nebraska (3/9/2020)

So sorry to hear of your loss, Mary was a wonderful lady and I know that she is at home with our Lord.
You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
~ Ruth Parsons Butters Gypsum, CO (3/9/2020)

Twila, Sharla, and Family, my deepest sympathy. Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers. May the Lord be with you now and
always.
~ Fawna (Geigle) Goff Sturgis, SD (3/9/2020)

To all the families of Mary Kjerstad. You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
~ Dee and Kelly Fees S. Dak. and Az. (3/9/2020)

God be with you now in the loss of your dear Mother. Will not be attending services but with you in spirit, prayer and love, Veva
~ Veva Wernke Wall, SD (3/9/2020)

We are sending a prayer that God will give you comfort now and peace in days to come. We are sending our deepest sympathy to all. Mary was so kind and friendly to all. There are very many
wonderful memories over the years.

~ Ester and Gene Johannesen Wall, SD (3/9/2020)

So sorry for your loss.
~ Sara Jensen Rapid City, SD (3/9/2020)

Our sympathies on the loss of your Mom and Grandma. What a great family she and Konrad started. God bless you all.
~ Glenn and Rita O'Connell Philip (3/9/2020)