Funeral services will take place on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 10:00 AM (Mountain).
Black Hills National Cemetery
Sturgis, South Dakota
of Wall, South Dakota, died on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip at the age of 101
Lillian Louise Vrzal was born May 2, 1924, on a farm in Gregory County, South Dakota. She attended rural Jones School District 84 outside of Gregory where she received her education. She stayed on the farm after her education and worked. At the age of 13, her family moved to Paxton where her Dad purchased a farm.
Lillian was united in marriage to Harold Kleinschmit on September 17, 1946 after his discharge from the military. After their marriage, they resided on a house on the farm until December 26, 1946, when they moved to Oregon where Harold worked on a flax plant for 18 months before moving back to Wall. Six years later, they moved to Gregory until Lillian's father's death, at which time they moved back to Wall.
Lillian worked for the Badlands Lodge cleaning rooms for Dr. Mills who owned the Lodge; then to Elks Motel for Max Hauk; then to work for Doug Estes at the Sands Wall Motel until 2007, when they retired and moved into Prairie Village.
Her husband Harold preceded her in death on November 2, 2008. Lillian continued to make her home in Wall until moving into the Scotchman Living Center in Philip, where she has since resided.
She enjoyed all their children and grandchildren.
Survivors include two daughters Peggy Aby of Wall and Linda Freeman and her husband Tom of Rapid City; one son Kevin Kleinschmit and his wife Sarah of Jefferson City, Missouri; a son-in-law Walter Nissel of Walnut Grove, Minnesota; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 16 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband Harold, Lillian was preceded in death by a daughter Karen Nissel; a son-in-law Don Aby; her parents; and two sisters Vivian Brychta and Elaine Jerred; one brother Joe Vrzal; a sister-in-law Frieda Vrzal; and a brother-in-law Lyle Jerred.
Visitation will be held 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall.
Graveside services will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 15, at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, with Father Timothy Castor as celebrant.
GRAVESIDE SERVICES
Thursday, May 15, 2025 - 10:00 a.m.
Black Hills National Cemetery
Sturgis, South Dakota
CLERGY
Father Timothy Castor
PALLBEARERS
Troy Nissel - Kasey Kleinschmit
Todd Grimmett – Timmy Grimmett
Mike Bents - Mike Pillen – Mike Zebill