Funeral services will take place on Friday, October 21, 2022 at 2:00 PM (Central).
St. John's Cemetery
Harrold, South Dakota
of Philip, South Dakota, died on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip at the age of 87
Gloria Charlene Lehrkamp French was born October 7th, 1934, in Sully County, South Dakota, the first of seven children born to Art and Bert (Thorn) Lehrkamp. The family bought a farm at Harrold in 1946. Gloria graduated from Harrold High School in 1952.
She married Richard French in 1952 and lived on his family farm at Harrold until moving to Huron in 1967. Four daughters blessed this union: Fay, Julie, Diane, and Lori.
Gloria enjoyed restoring old oak homes and furniture and was honored to be caretaker of the Pyle House Museum in Huron for several years. She was employed at St. John's Hospital, Haley's, and Holiday Foods before doing homecare for several years in Huron and Philip. She moved to Philip in 2001, where she has since resided.
Gloria is survived by her three daughters: Fay (Doug) Hauk of Philip, Julie (Jeff) Stroup of Sioux Falls, and Lori (Grant) Seaman of Warner; 12 grandchildren Brennan and Tyler Hauk, Rachelle (Casey) Elshere, Jessica (Jon) Alvey, Jenna (Sean) Bortnem, Crystal (Chad) Kopfmann, Jeremie (Melinda Salas) LeGrand, Charity and Chance Pionk, JayCee, Landon (Liz) and Tanner Seaman; 14 great-grandchildren Ashlynn, Lainey, Cade, Lacey, Lucas, Anna, Evan, Simon, Clyde, Isaac, Lillian Marie, Franklin, Ginny, and Lillian Ryan Marie; one brother Darrel Lehrkamp of Arriba, Colorado; three sisters Shirley Keller of Pierre, Bea Westall of Mesa, Arizona, and Rhonda Krell of Rifle, Colorado; and numerous, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Gloria was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; daughter Diane LeGrand; her parents; sister Marcia Ernster; and brother Leo Lehrkamp.
Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Friday, September 30, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip, with a Christian Funeral Vigil at 7:00 p.m.
A Christian Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 1, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip, with Father Grant Gerlach as celebrant.
Christian Funeral Committal will be held 2 p.m. (CDT) on Friday, October 21, at the St. John's Cemetery in Harrold, South Dakota with Fr. Ron Garry officiating.
Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 434 Philip, SD 57567.
VISITATION
Friday, September 30, 2022 - 5-7 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota
CHRISTIAN FUNERAL VIGIL
Friday, September 30, 2022 - 7 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota
CHRISTIAN FUNERAL MASS
Saturday, October 1, 2022 - 10:00 a.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota
CELEBRANT
Father Grant Gerlach
with Deacon Lloyd Frein assisting
READER
Jenna Bortnem
MUSIC
Marianne Frein - Pianist
Maureen Palecek - Cantor
“How Great Thou Art” #432
“Taste and See” #332
“Lead Me Lord” #739
USHERS
Ray Gibson - Rick Coyle
PALLBEARERS
Brennan Hauk - Tyler Hauk - Rachelle Elshere
Jessica Alvey - Jenna Bortnem - Crystal Kopfmann
Jeremie LeGrand - Charity Pionk - Chance Pionk
JayCee Seaman - Landon Seaman - Tanner Seaman
CHRISTIAN FUNERAL COMMITTAL
Friday, October 21, 2022 - 2:00 p.m. (CDT)
St. John’s Cemetery
Harrold, South Dakota
Fr. Ron Garry - Officiating