Myrna Gottsleben Obituary

Myrna Mae (Coleman) Gottsleben was born April 27, 1930, to Fay and Annette “Babe” Coleman in Philip, South Dakota. Myrna grew up and lived in the Grindstone area of Haakon County most of her life. She graduated from Quinn High School in May 1949 and attended Black Hills State University that summer. Her teaching career began at a rural school in Haakon County in 1950.

Myrna was united in marriage to James “Jim” Gottsleben on November 29, 1952, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip. To this union five children were born: Sharon, Kathy, Barbara, Carolyn, and Bill. Myrna stayed at home raising and caring for their children as well as helping Jim on the Gottsleben Homestead. Over the years she also worked as a substitute teacher in nearby rural schools where she had the opportunity to teach some of her children and grandchildren.

Myrna was very active in various community groups and organizations in which she took on many leadership roles, showing great pride and commitment. Clubs and organizations she belonged to are Grindstone Womens’ Club, Farmer’s Union Cooperative (local, district and state levels), 4-H, Philip Cancer Support Group, The Relay for Life (Ladybug Team), and Bad River Senior Citizen Center. She played an integral part in involving her children and grandchildren in 4-H, Farmer’s Union Cooperative, and The Relay for Life. Myrna was a strong and faithful member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip, Sacred Heard Evening Guild, and assisted with religious education throughout the years.

Family and social gatherings were a highlight to Myrna. She was always ready for a card game--or any game for that matter. Bridge and Quarters were special favorites. Myrna had many dear friends whom she treasured and met with regularly. She enjoyed her morning coffee. Myrna was a great cook, loved helping on the farm, and was never afraid to speak her mind! Her grandkids and great grandkids were her greatest blessings.

In 2005, Jim and Myrna sold the ranch to their son, Bill. They then moved to Philip where she had since resided.

Grateful for sharing her life include her son William “Bill” Gottsleben and his wife Jayne of Philip; daughters, Sharon Baxter and her husband Darwin of Erie, CO, Kathy Gottsleben of Rapid City, SD, Barbara Larsen and her husband Carl of Caputa, SD, and Carolyn Brooks and her husband Jim of Dupree, SD; 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; one brother, Marvin Coleman and his wife Phyllis of Quinn, SD; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Myrna was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Bob, Alvin, Alice, and Patty; granddaughter, Chana Gottsleben; grandson, Jerry Larsen; and the love of her life, Jim Gottsleben.

She left this world peacefully on their 69th wedding anniversary ready to celebrate their reunion in Heaven.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service starting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 2, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 3 p.m. Friday, December 3, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip with Father Gary Oreshoski as celebrant assisted by Deacon Lloyd Frein.

Interment will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

Service Details

VISITATION
Thursday, December 2, 2021 - 5-7 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

PRAYER SERVICE
Thursday, December 2, 2021 - 7 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Friday, December 3, 2021 - 3:00 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

CELEBRANT
Father Gary Oreshoski
assisted by Deacon Lloyd Frein

MUSIC
Marianne Frein - Pianist
Maureen Palecek - Vocalist
“On Eagles Wings” - “Carry Me Home” - “Amazing Grace”
“What Child is This?” - “O Loving God”

USHERS
Jerry Kroetch - Steve Pekron

ALTAR SERVERS
Race O’Connor - Paige O’Connor

READER
Joe Gittings

PALLBEARERS
Lee Brooks - Zach Baxter - Dustin Larsen
Brian Larson - Jace Bennett - Mark Colmen

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

Guest Book

Our sympathy to the family. Always enjoyed visiting with Myrna at farmers union meetings. God Bless
~ Ralph & Cathy Fiedler Sturgis, SD (11/30/2021)

My deepest sympathy to Myra kids and grankids. Very hard to loose your mother. One of my favorite teachers
She would take me home on week ends. I remember "come on, we'll go for a drive. She had her own car, the windows down and drying her hair. So many memories, a great role model, kind, faithful to the Lord.
~ Joyce and Ed Belle Fourche, (12/4/2021)

SD
~ Mary Kay Sandal Hartford (12/3/2021)

Remember the good times and always keep them in your heart. She will be missed, but Jim and Myrna are together again.
~ Jim and Vonnie O’Dea Howes, SD (12/2/2021)

We are thinking of all you folks during this difficult time. Myrna was a sweet lady, she always had time to visit with a person. Hold on to all the memories. She is at peace with Jim.
~ Les & Joann Pearson Philip, SD (11/30/2021)

SD
~ Sherry Lidgett-Volmer Owanka (12/2/2021)

I have so many fun memories of Myrna, from being a kid visiting or getting a hair trim .. to all the things we worked on at church and through the Cancer support Group. Our condolences to all her family and friends. I''m sure she and Jim will get a good game of cards going soon!
~ Val Schulz Philip (11/30/2021)

Sd
~ Joyce and Ed Belle Fourche (12/4/2021)

South Dakota
Our condolences for the loss of Myrna. She was a wise strong and supportive woman. We wanted to be there to honor her but Dan was ill.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL
Dan and Jolene Schanaman
~ Jo Schanaman Rapid City (12/6/2021)

So very sorry for your loss. So many memories of Myrna as I was growing up.
~ Janet Lurz Wall (12/2/2021)

Myrna, was a Wonderful Lady. A Woman of Faith and she raised a great family. We know that You ALL will miss her; May God be with You ALL in the days & Months ahead. God's Blessings, Kathy & Jerry Noteboom
~ Kathy S. Noteboom 21309 Cabin Road (12/2/2021)

Prayers for all of you. Lots of great memories with your family. May she rest in peace.
~ Connie Clements Richards Altoona IA (12/2/2021)

Dear children and grandchildren of Myrna, my love and sympathy to you as you grieve the loss of this wonderful, caring and dear mother/grandmother. She was kind and sharp and very special. Prayers and blessings
~ Kay Foland Rapid City, SD (12/3/2021)

Our sympathy to the family. Myrna and Jim were so involved with Farmers Union. We shared many trips. May the memories carry you through this time of loss.
~ Bill and Marsha Sumpter Kadoka (11/30/2021)

South Dakota
~ Jo Schanaman Rapid City (12/6/2021)

Flowers

Peggy and PeeWee Hook; Leo and Sandra Gittings; Sandee Gittings; Charles and Diane Gittings; and Joe and Kathy Gittings and Families

The Raymond Theresa Clements Family

BHW Family

The Pekron Family - Nancy, Rick, Ryan, Steve, Nina, and Family; Beth and Family; Karen, Jerry, and Family; Theresa and Jeff; and Joe, Julie, and Family