Rush Funeral Home Logo
Logo Image
(605) 859-2400 You can call us 24/7
Newsletter Get new obituaries by email
Search Search through the obituaries

Funeral services will take place on Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at 10:00 AM (Mountain).

Kadoka Nursing Home
Kadoka, SD

Private Family Interment
White River Cemetery



Print Obituary

In memory of

Emma Jarl

of Kadoka, South Dakota, formerly of White River, died on Saturday, October 1, 2016 Kadoka Nursing Home at the age of 102

Emma M. Petranek was born April 7, 1914, to Joseph and Anna (Holmolka) Petranek. She was born and raised 12 miles northwest of White River, South Dakota, on the family homestead. Emma stayed on the family homestead and also worked in White River until she was united in marriage to Oswald Jarl in November of 1937 and the couple resided on the family ranch until Oswald's death in 1988.

Emma was involved in the family ranching operation for many years and was a mother to two daughters. Emma was active in the White River community and served as a school board representative, Sunday school teacher and a host of other special projects during her 94 years in Mellette County. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and was a very special friend to many of the early pioneer residents of Mellette County.

Emma and Oswald traveled on South Dakota Stockgrowers tours for many years and visited many foreign lands and many parts of the United States during their travels as well as visiting Oswald's family in Sweden on several occasions and her distant family that remained in Czechoslovakia.

At the spry young age of 94 Emma left her home of over 70 years and became a resident of Kadoka, South Dakota where she remained active in the Senior Community there and made many new friends and enjoyed her new community while still keeping in touch with friends and family in the White River area as well.

Survivors include two grandsons, Stanley Knispel and his wife Deborah of White River, and Steven Knispel and his wife Cheyenne of Reno, Nevada; three great-grandchildren Trey and Savannah Knispel of White River, and Cody Knispel of Reno, Nevada; one brother Ed Petranek and his wife Alice of Belle Fourche; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Emma was preceded in death by her husband Oswald in 1988; her daughters Sonja, at the age of 5, and her daughter Sandra at the age of 54; her parents; two brothers, Joseph and Ben Petranek; three sisters, Clara Ohlmert, Martha Schwanz, and Lillian Chamberlin; and her son-in-law, Charles Knispel.

Memorial services will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 4, at the Kadoka Nursing Home, with Pastor Todd Gullickson officiating.

Private family interment will be at the White River Cemetery.


Open the Memorial Folder

FUNERAL SERVICES
Tuesday, October 4, 2016 - 10:00 a.m.
Kadoka Nursing Home
Kadoka, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Todd Gullickson
MUSIC
Cheri Gullickson - Pianist
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
PRIVATE FAMILY INTERMENT
White River Cemetery
White River, South Dakota

  • I want you to know grandma that I love you and I cant wait to see you again with shampa. Dad always says that sandy is probably giving shampa gruff! :) I always loved your funny jokes and yur sense of humor! You sure mad a person laugh even if you didn't relize it.Imiss you Grandma! ~ Savannah Knispel White River,Sd (10/10/2017)
  • Emma and Oswald were special friends to us. I'll always remember Oswald feeding his buffalo and Emma showing us how to find ruby's in an ant hill. It was 3 years ago when we last seen her at the nursing home and I'll always remember her following us to the door and saying goodbye. That was was hard. She was a special lady. ~ Larry and Rose Mary Smith Moravia, Iowa (10/4/2016)
  • Emma we will miss your beautiful smile and presence here but know you are at peace with your Lord and Savior! Thinking about all the lives you touched for Jesus, all the kids you had in Sunday school! RIP dear Emma. ~ Ed and Susan Krogman White River, SD (10/4/2016)
  • God bless You Emma - I - Ronney Jarl is the spokesman for all of us in Sweden - and we always had a wonderful time when You and your husbond my uncle Oswald came across and visited us - you always spread joy and laughters and probably you had a good laugh when you were teaching Holger ( my father) and John and Thor all Oswald´s younger brothers how to use a lasso - and how to rope a calf - when we we visited Your ranch the first time - that was 1971.
    We hold many fond memories close to our hearts.
    God bless. Rest in peace.
    Ronney Jarl Strandvagen Nybro Sweden     ~ Ronney Jarl Broakulla Sweden (10/3/2016)
  • Oh sweet Emma...I loved every minute I was able to spend with you. You were such a loving and giving soul. You will be missed by many. I cherish the hangers I have that you made as fundraisers for the nursing home! Hold the many fond memories close to your heart. Rest in Peace. ~ Stacy Dole Black Hawk SD (10/3/2016)
  • I was a classmate of Sandy's, & also played at her wedding. I stayed with Sandy out at their ranch lots of times, and always enjoyed being around Emma-she was a wonderful person!! Sympathy & prayers. ~ Ellen Iwan Valburg Draper, SD (10/3/2016)