Glenda Lois Thompson, 98, of Chamberlain, passed away on April 14, 2018, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Funeral services were Monday, April 23, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Chamberlain. Visitation was Sunday, April 22, also at the church, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. 

Glenda Lois Senska was born April 20, 1919, in her aunt’s home in Letcher to Glen and Lura (Walrath) Senska.  She attended grade school at the Milwaukee School in Sanborn County and graduated from Forestburg High School in 1938. After high school, she attended Madison Normal School where she received her teacher’s certificate. She then began her 19-year teaching career and taught in country schools in Sanborn County, Jerauld County, and Miner County. During her teaching career, she would return each summer to her parents’ home.

On June 29, 1958, Glenda was united in marriage to Avery Owen Thompson at Artesian. They made their home in Chamberlain where they raised their family. 

Glenda was a member of the Woonsocket Lutheran Church in Woonsocket and  became a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Chamberlain after she and Avery were married.  She was also a part of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) and an honorary member in her later years.  She was a member of the Pollyanna and Hi-Five clubs.

Glenda and Avery spent their winters for eight years in Zapata, Texas, where they enjoyed the friendships of many people. 

In her later years, Glenda enjoyed going to the Senior Citizens Center in Chamberlain and then to the Regency Retirement Assisted Living to play bingo and visit with her friends.  She also enjoyed playing dominoes with her friends on Sunday afternoons. She was independent and drove her own car until this last fall when the weather became inclement and made it unsafe for her to be out and about. 

Glenda enjoyed doing embroidery work, which she learned as a child. She loved caring for her flowers and plants both indoors and out over the years.  She was lovingly known by her friends as the “African Violet Lady.”

Glenda is survived by her children, Sheila Thompson of Chamberlain, David (Linda) Thompson of Chamberlain, and Norma (Harry) DuVall of Casper, Wyo.; and two step-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Avery; her parents, Glen and Lura Senska; and her brothers, Millard, Ed, Dean, Eldon, Boyd, Lynn, Donald, and baby Senska. 

Leola Mae Ulmer, 74, of Gregory, passed away Tuesday, April 17, 2018, peacefully at home surrounded by her family. 

Visitation and a prayer service were held Friday, April 20, at St. John Lutheran Church in Gregory. The funeral was held on Saturday, April 21, at the same church with Pastor Marcus Ring officiating.

Leola Mae Ulmer was born on Feb. 9, 1944, to Jerry and Esther (Slykhuis) Vavruska in Gregory. She grew up on different farms south of Gregory with her siblings, Lois (Ron) Sinclair, Larry (Carol) Vavruska and Lucille Bradley. 

In 1960 she married a neighbor boy, Larry Ulmer, and to this union four children were born Cindy, Jeffrey, Carla and Timothy.

Larry and Leola moved to Kadoka shortly after their marriage where Larry worked on the missile sites. They then returned to the Gregory area where they worked on various farms, and in 1969, they moved to the Naper area. 

In 1975 they purchased their own farm southwest of Naper and also milked cows. In 2000, they sold the farm and moved to Gregory. In 2003, they bought a farm and moved to Freeman, and then moved back to Gregory in 2009.

Leola worked for many years along side Larry working on the farm and milking cows. She obtaind her Nursing Assistant Certification and worked at Butte Healthcare Center. While in Gregory, she worked at the Gregory Hospital and also at Silver Threads. While they lived in Freeman, she was employed at Bormann Manor in Parkston.

Leola enjoyed her garden while she was still able, putting together puzzles and reading. She also enjoyed going out with her coffee group and visitis from her special “adopted sister” Doris Olson. 

She is survived by her husband, Larry of Gregory; four children: Cindy (Rylan) Lindgren of Fairfax, Jeffrey (Debbie) Ulmer of Atlanta, Ga., Carla (Vic) Warnke of Gregory, and Timothy Ulmer (Kallene) of Woonsocket; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and her four siblings. 

Leola was preceded in death by her parents; brother-in-law, Mark Bradley; parents-in-law, Albert and Hilda Ulmer; brothers-in-law, Wayne and Harold Ulmer; and sister-in-law, Irma Ulmer. 

Katherine “Kay” Marie Clayton died April 12, 2018.

In honoring Kay’s wishes, there will be no service.

Katherine Marie Clayton, 84, was born in a farmhouse in Lyon County, Kan., near Americus, on April 15, 1933, to Charles Curtis and Frances (Viles) Miller. She grew up in the Emporia, Kan., area and attended school there.

In 1950, she married Russell Calvin Clayton in Emporia. Kay moved with Russ, due to his work, to several towns in Kansas and lived in several towns in Colorado before settling in rural Woonsocket. In 2003, Kay moved to Woonsocket.

Kay was a stay-at-home mom for most of her younger years, raising six children. When the children moved away, she kept busy with part-time jobs in Woonsocket. She loved crafts and supported the Woonsocket community.

Kay is survived by her six children: Chuck (Diane) Clayton of Huron, Gary (Teresa) Clayton of Gregory, Mark (Barb) Clayton of Yankton, Jim (Vicky) Clayton of Appleton, Wis., Melanie (Gary) Zeimer of Neenah, Wis., and Trent Clayton of Woonsocket; 13 grandchildren, four step grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; sister, Darlene Huerter of Seneca, Kan., and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Russell; sister, Jean Piper; granddaughter, Natty Clayton; great-grandchildren, Earl Hacking and Cheyenne Bukowski; and her special friend, Les Amen.

The family prefers memorials be directed to the Woonsocket Community Foundation, 23020, 397th Ave., Woonsocket, SD 57385