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Dorothy Seidlerof Midland, South Dakota, died on Monday, October 1, 2012
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Dorothy M. Dennis was born October 10, 1924, in Redfield, South Dakota, the daughter of Archie “Tom” and Marie (Fish) Dennis. Dorothy’s mother died soon after Dorothy was born. Grandparents Jess and Kate Dennis brought Dorothy to their home north of Midland when she was five days old and she continued to live with them, attending Liberty Country School for five years.
She then moved to Midland where Tom and Lillian, her step-mother, were living and attended school there for one year while Lillian was teaching in the Midland school. The family moved to the Tom Dennis farm-ranch and Dorothy attended Prairie Queen School for two years. Then Lillian taught the Twin Buttes School east of home and she, Dorothy, and a cousin, Olivia Dennis (now Perovich), lived at the school during the week and went home on weekends while Dorothy was in eighth and ninth grades. She then attended high school in Midland, living in the girls’ dormitory, just north of present day Open Bible parsonage. She worked at the Co-op grocery store during high school years. She graduated from Midland High School in 1942 and went to work at a chicken farm near Rapid City.
Dorothy married Bob Seidler on April 30, 1943, in Midland, and went back to work at the Co-op grocery store while Bob managed the Texaco station for Ray Schultz of Murdo. Bob and Dorothy moved to the Jess and Kate Dennis home to help them with their farm work until 1953. After Dorothy’s dad, Tom Dennis, died she and Bob moved to the Tom Dennis farm-ranch west of Highway 14 where they lived until retiring.
They moved to Midland in 2007. They enjoyed living in their one story home instead of the three stories on the farm, especially because it was just across the street from the Midland School playground where they could see the kids playing during recess and noon break.
Dorothy served on the Pheoba School Board from many years. Phoeba School, post office, and store all were named for her grandfather, Phoeba Richardson, who lived northeast of the Jess Dennis farm.
Entertainment in the early years was card parties at the homes of the neighbors in the area east and west of Highway 14. That pass time was taken up again at the Midland Senior Center after Dorothy and Bob retired.
Another entertainment was taking long drives when the wind was blowing so hard it made work on the farm miserable. They sometimes got quite a distance from home before turning back! The Platte-Winner Bridge, Sisseton, Lemmon, or even into Wyoming were some of the places they turned the car toward Midland again after enjoying the scenery in places they hadn’t been recently, if ever.
While their girls were in high school, they attended all school events and followed MHS sports teams. They ‘hauled” cheerleaders for several years to out of town events. They drove even to the farthest ‘away’ games or anywhere the Midland Tumblers performed, nearly always being first to arrive, no matter how far away!
Survivors include her husband Robert “Bob” Seidler of Midland; two daughters Athellen Gibbs Westerman of Pierre, and her son Allen (Tammy) Gibbs and their son Marcus; and Phyllis Nelsen Wells of Worland, Wyoming, and her sons Troy (Kelly) Nelsen and son Wyatt of Worland, and Terry Nelsen (Angie) and son Caidon of Sioux Falls; and many nieces and nephews.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents Archie and Marie (Fish) Dennis.
Visitation was held 3-5 p.m. Thursday, October 4, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Friday.
Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. MDT Friday, October 5, at the Open Bible Church in Midland, with Pastor Andy Blye officiating.
Interment was at the Midland Cemetery.
FUNERAL SERVICES
Friday, October 5, 2012 - 10:00 a.m.
Open Bible Church
Midland, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Andy Blye
MUSIC
Pastor Andy Blye - Pianist
Barbara Jones - Vocalist
“In The Garden”
“Rock of Ages”
USHERS
Bob Evans - Ron Doud
PALLBEARERS
Ross Block - Wylie Schwalm
Brad Hand - Duane Hand
Mark Reiman - Vince Bruce
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Midland Cemetery
Midland, South Dakota
Visitation: 3-5 p.m. Thursday, October 4, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, Funeral services: 10:00 a.m. MDT Friday, October 5, at the Open Bible Church in Midland.
Interment: Midland Cemetery.