Marilda C. Myers, 98, slipped peacefully from this life Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Rosary vigil is at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17 at Coffelt Funeral Service, Sandpoint, with a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18 at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Funeral services in Sioux Falls, S.D., will be held next summer, followed by inurnment next to her husband at St. Michael’s Cemetery.

Marilda actively lived her faith in Jesus. Hers was a life well-lived, fully and faithfully. She was humble, loving, giving and forgiving, yet strong and independent, with a great sense of humor and an ability to find contentment regardless of circumstances. She loved unconditionally, had a knack for making and keeping friends and rarely turned down any adventure.

A talented pianist, Marilda played piano daily until a stroke in January 2016 stilled her right arm. Speech and mobility were also affected, but her indomitable spirit remained intact, her brilliant smile never dimmed and her mind was sharp to the end.

Born Aug. 28, 1918, in Dimock, S.D., to William and Mary Behrend, Marilda was the fifth of seven children. Her family moved to Parkston, S.D., where she attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and graduated from Parkston High School in 1936.

Waitressing at the Corner Café, she met her future husband, Ralph Myers. They were married Aug. 1, 1942 on the U.S. Army base at Camp Lockett, Calif., where he was stationed.

They later moved to Brigham City, Utah, where Ralph was CWO at Bushnell General Hospital. He served in the CBI theater of World War II.

When he left for India, Marilda remained in Utah awaiting the birth of their first child. After Ralph’s discharge in 1946, they moved to Sioux Falls, where five more children were born. Ralph died in 1966, leaving Marilda with four children still at home.

Marilda held jobs through the years, mostly accounting-related, but especially cherished her years as a stay-at-home mother. She retired from AAA in Sioux Falls in 1982 after 12-plus years, and enjoyed post-retirement globe-trotting. She lived in Sioux Falls until 2012, when she moved to Sandpoint to be near her daughter, Carol. Marilda was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Sandpoint, but retained membership in her Sioux Falls parish, Christ the King, where she was a proud charter member and an active parishioner for decades. A life member of St. Patricia Court, Catholic Daughters of America, she was honored as 1992 Mother of the Year. She was a Benedictine Oblate, affiliated with Blue Cloud Abbey; a member of Serra International, active in Cursillo and McKennan Hospital Auxiliary. She ministered at Prince of Peace Retirement Community and served for years as Eucharistic minister for Sioux Valley Hospital patients.

Family meant every

thing to Marilda. She is joyfully reunited with her husband Ralph, her parents, three sisters, two brothers, a grandson and many dear friends who preceded her in death. She is survived by her sister, Betty Behrend, Parkston, S.D.; her children, Mary Jo Keith, Dixon, Ill.; Carol (Bob) Camp, Sandpoint; James (Patty) Myers, Sioux Falls; Margaret (Larry) Muehlberg, Excelsior, Minn.; Joseph (Shelly) Myers, Santa Maria, Calif.; and Susan Myers, Richfield, Minn.; 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, with an eighth due this month — the circle of life exemplified; and by numerous nieces and nephews. We miss her immensely, but rejoice that she is safely home.

The family suggests contributions be made in Marilda’s memory to Christ the King School’s scholarship fund: CTK Catholic Education, 1501 W. 26th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57105.

Family and friends are invited to sign the online guestbook, for Marilda, at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Coffelt Funeral Service.