Gloria Ann Tuffs, 83, of Mitchell, died on Friday, April 15, 2022, in the loving presence of her son and his family while under hospice care in their home in Dakota Dunes. 

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, at Resurrection Lutheran Church, with burial at the Mt. Vernon Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, April 22, at the Will Funeral Chapel.

Gloria Ann Tollefson was born May 27, 1938, in Sanborn County, near Cuthbert, to Lyle Richard and Dorene (Adams) Tollefson. She grew up and attended school in Mount Vernon.

Gloria married Ronald Lyman in 1959, and they had four children. She graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University in 1978, receiving a bachelor’s degree. She subsequently worked various odd jobs before her approximately 30-year tenure with Bauer Dental. Gloria married Mel Tuffs on May 27, 1989. They went on to enjoy 29 years of marriage together.

Gloria loved going with Mel and his band to their performances. She also loved to read, garden, put together puzzles, collect toys and attend toy shows.

Gloria is survived by her children, Laurinda (Mark) Hubbard, Rod Lyman, Brenda Hartz, and Kurt (Suzanne) Lyman; stepchildren, Rick Tuffs, Vikki (Roger) Hollenbeck, Rodney Tuffs, Royce Tuffs; 19 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; siblings, Darrell (DeeDee) Tollefson, Gene (Kathy) Tollefson, Dorene (Richard) Polz; and sisters-in-law, MaryLou Tollefson and Sally Tollefson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Mel Tuffs; parents, Lyle and Dorene Tollefson; sister, Martha Hanson; brothers, Randy, Garry, and Herb Tollefson; granddaughter, Stephani Lyman; nephews, Michael Polz, Roger Tollefson, Ben Tollefson, and Herb Tollefson Jr.; a brother-in-law, Jim Hanson; and son-in-law, Greg Hartz.

Carol J. Gildemaster, 78, of Virgil, passed away on Sunday, April 3, 2022, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls. 

Her funeral service was held Friday, April 8, at Welter Funeral Home, with the burial following at Virgil Cemetery in Virgil. Visitations were on Thursday, April 7, at Welter Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service on Friday morning. A prayer service was on Thursday evening at the funeral home. Her funeral service was live-streamed through the Welter Funeral Home Facebook Page.

Carol Joanne was born on June 2, 1943, to parents Frank and Hazel (Aldrich) Curtis Jr. in Huron. Carol grew up on the family farm near Virgil, graduating from Wolsey High School in 1961 as valedictorian. Carol attended Northern State College for one year before attending Huron College. She graduated in 1965, receiving the top honor of Huronian, which was given to a student with scholastic and character excellence.

Carol married Larry Gildemaster at the Methodist church in Huron on June 4, 1965. While Larry finished college, Carol taught math and German at Howard schools. The couple then moved to Le Sueur, Minn. In 1974, the family moved back to Virgil to her parents’ family farm where they raised Polled Hereford cattle.

Carol was a member of the American Hereford Association, South Dakota Hereford Association, Neighborly Get-Together Club, and served on the Beadle County Extension Board. She loved to garden, especially vegetables and flowers. Cheering on the New York Yankees was a favorite pastime of Carol’s. Attending Wolsey-Wessington Warbird sporting events meant much to her.

She is survived by her husband, Larry of Virgil; her daughter, Michele (Jeff) Bush of Pierre; her son, Mark (Tyann) Gildemaster of Pierre; six grandchildren; her brother-in-law, Ron Gildemaster of Artesian; her sister-in-law, Debbie Travis of Plattsmouth, Neb.; her special aunt, Dorothy Clouser; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Hazel Curtis Jr.; her sister, Joyce (Donald) DuBois; her in-laws, Max and June Gildemaster; brothers-in-law, Alan Gildemaster and Randy Travis; and her sister-in-law, Judy Gildemaster.

Phyllis T. (Oster) Lambert, 92, passed away April 7, 2022, at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Howard.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 19, at the St. Charles Catholic Church in Artesian. Visitation is from 9-10 a.m., followed by a Rosary at 10 a.m. Interment is at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Artesian.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Mitchell Safe Haven, John Paul II School Foundation, or St. Thomas School Foundation. Arrangements entrusted with Rustand-Weiland Funeral Chapel in Madison.

Phyllis was born Oct. 12, 1929, to Henry J. and Margaret (Kimber) Oster. She grew up in rural Ethan and attended Davison County country school through grade eight, then she attended Ethan high school. She was an honor student, editor of the Ethan High School newspaper “The Roundup,” and business manager for the EHS yearbook. While in school, she worked as a secretary for Superintendent Fred Shaw. Phyllis was selected as the Ethan HS DAR candidate for the Good Citizenship Contest; she graduated as class valedictorian in 1947. Following high school, Phyllis attended Notre Dame Junior College in Mitchell and graduated from the College I Secretary program in 1948. She was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority and active in the College and Business Girls’ Sodality group. After graduation, she worked as a legal secretary for Fred Tinan in Mitchell and then as a medical secretary for Drs. Robert “RJ” Delaney and William “Bill” Delaney until 1952.

Phyllis married E. Clair Lambert on Oct. 6, 1952, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Ethan. They moved to Denver, Colo., while Clair served in the Air Force. Phyllis was employed at Wolvington & Wormwood Law Offices from 1952-1953. Following Clair’s discharge from the Air Force, he and Phyllis returned to South Dakota, where they farmed near Fedora. Phyllis was an active member of the St. Charles Catholic Church in Artesian, holding several offices over the years in the St. Charles Altar Society. She was also involved in the Artesian American Legion Auxiliary. Phyllis was a long-time member of the Beaver Township Extension Club, serving as an officer on the local and county levels. She spent many years supporting her children in countless 4-H and school projects. In 1992, she re-entered the work force as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Avera Brady Nursing Home in Mitchell. She was recognized with an Outstanding Service award in 2005 and retired in 2006.

Phyllis enjoyed writing letters and cards, gardening and spending time with family.

Phyllis is survived by her children, Karen Lambert of Artesian; Jane (Terry) Cooper of Bismarck, N.D.; Alan Lambert of Sioux Falls; Paul (Julie) Lambert of Madison; Linda (Craig) Maeschen of Dell Rapids; Craig Lambert of Fulton; and Wayne (Heather) Lambert of Mitchell; 18 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband of over 68 years, E. Clair Lambert; her parents, Henry and Margaret Oster; siblings, Francis Oster, Sister Margaret Mary, Mary Barnes, Tony Oster, Tillie Fritza, June Hoag, Ruth Cone, and John Oster.