Obituary: Frank Mortellaro

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In memory of

Frank Mortellaro

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Friday, January 11, 2008 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City at the age of 89

Frank was born and raised three miles north of Philip on January 26, 1918, the son of Mariano and Josephine (Triolo) Mortellaro. He attended Philip Schools graduating in 1937. During that time he was a member of an undefeated football team.
On June 17, 1942, Frank married Marie Fortune of Grindstone, and to this union were born three children; Mick, Marlene, and Debbie. They worked side by side in the farming and ranching industry for sixty-five years. In their younger days, they enjoyed square dancing and card playing with their friends.
Frank was an avid reader and stayed informed on current events. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.
His family was very important to him. He enjoyed getting to watch his grandkids grow up and attended many of their activities. He enjoyed his great-grandkids immensely and they provided him with many smiles.
Survivors include his wife of sixty-five years Marie of Philip; one son Mick Mortellaro and his wife Bonnie of Philip; two daughters Marlene Coyle and her husband Tom of Belle Fourche, and Debbie Schofield and her husband Brad of Gillette, Wyoming; eight grandchildren, Natasha Eisenbraun and her husband Keith of Wright, Wyoming, Jammie Raba and her husband Mathew of Sturgis, Jeremy and Tommy Coyle of Belle Fourche, Nick Schofield and his wife Sabrina of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, Laura Schofield of Gillette, and Michael and Megan Mortellaro of Philip; three great-grandchildren Kyza and Nyah Eisenbraun, and Cyrus Edwards; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents Mariano and Josephine (Triolo) Mortellaro; one brother Henry Mortellaro; one sister Jennie Wall; and a grandson Douglas Mortellaro.
Visitation was held 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 13, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip, with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial was held 10:00 a.m. Monday, January 14, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with Father Ron Garry as celebrant.
Interment was in the Masonic Cemetery, Philip.
A memorial is established.
Memorials may be sent to Marie at P.O. Box 496, Philip, SD 57567.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Monday, January 14, 2008 – 10:00 a.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

CELEBRANT
Father Ron Garry

MUSIC
Marianne Frein – Pianist
Maureen Palecek – Vocalist
“Come To The Field”
Congregational Hymns
“Gift of Finest Wheat”
“Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling”

READER
Mary Lou Guptill

ALTAR SERVERS
Tate Guptill – Troy Guptill

USHERS
Rudy Roth – Joel Kammerer

PALLBEARERS
Michael Mortellaro – Nick Schofield
Tommy Coyle – Jeremy Coyle
Keith Eisenbraun – Roy Pfeifer

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

Visitation: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 13, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip.
Vigil Service: 7:00 p.m., Sunday at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 a.m. Monday, January 14, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Interment: Masonic Cemetery, Philip.

Sign the guestbook

Dear Marie,
How precious of you and Frank to share wonderful memories with me while he was in the Philip hospital. Know that the short time and laughter we shared has now become a treasured memory as well.
God Bless you dear lady. Lean on Jesus, He WILL carry you through.
Love, Rebecca
~ Rebecca Williams Philip, SD (1/11/2008)
Our thoughts & prayers are with you. ~ Connie (Clements) Richards & Colleen Clements Cedar Rapids, IA (1/11/2008)
God's peace be with you in this time of sorrow. ~ Jessica Dale Root San Juna , TX (1/11/2008)
Dear Marie and family,
God's peace be with you at this time of your lost. He will be missed by all.
Love,
Roger, Jason, & Seth ~ Roger, Jason, & Seth Wright, WY (1/11/2008)
I know that Frank is now with the Lord. He was a good friend and will be missed by everyone who knew him. Thinking about you through this time as I can't be with you. Prayers for you all. Rae ~ Rae Crowser Queen Valley, Az (1/11/2008)
Our hearts go out to all of you as you endure your loss.
Frank was a wonderful man with a beautiful smile and kind words. His quiet ways were a comfort to us in these hurried times. We will be thinking of you all and praying for you. May you find comfort in the many memories and the teachings of a very admired man. Rest assured he was highly thought of and will be missed by all who knew him. Gary and Julie ~ Gary and Julie Nixon 22401 Deadman Creek Rd Philip, SD 57567 (1/11/2008)
We are thinking of you and your family at this difficult time. My parents often talked of the Mortellaros and the fun they all had square dancing together! God Bless and keep you. Sandy (Sherburne)and Dave Olsen ~ Sandy and Dave Olsen 1700 Meadow Lane Gillette, Wy (1/11/2008)
Deb & Family - My thoughts and prayers are with you today as you celebrate your dad and granddad's life. How wonderful to have lived that long! Take care, Pamela Cowen, Gillette, WY ~ Pamela Cowen 5101 Friday (1/11/2008)
We are so sorry for your loss. Frank will be missed by everyone who knew him. We have enjoyed having him as a friend and neighbor all these years. Our prayers are with all the family at this time. ~ Todd & Traci Radway 22180 230th St., Philip (1/11/2008)
Deb & Family May you know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family during this most difficult time. May God Bless You and Guide You.
Valerie & Chase Weeding
Carrie Walters & Tajah Edwards
Chase Weeding ~ Valerie Weeding Gillette, Wyoming (1/11/2008)
Dearest Marie and Mick, Marlene and Deb--and families:
Some of my fondest highschool memories will be of going home with Deb and spending time at your ranch. You, Marie and Frank were like another set of parents who I will always love and cherish . May God be with you all of you and please remember that Frank will be joining some awesome company up there!!! with love and hugs. ~ Holly (Bendigo) Brown Otter 20830 Ash Creek Rd, Philip, SD (1/11/2008)