Wilma Sachtjen

Wilma Jean (Hanson) Sachtjen was born on July 29, 1943, to William and Agnes Hanson. Born premature, and not expected to live long, she defied the odds for nearly 80 years with a “life well lived.” Wilma’s father William passed away when she was six. She and her mother Agnes were a solo pair for many years, most of which they lived in Burke, SD. She also told many stories of living with Agnes’ mother, fondly called Nam, and spending time with her uncle Robert and many cousins. Wilma graduated from Burke High School in 1961 and married Robert Gnirk Sr. on June 13, 1961. To this union, five children were born: Robert Jr. (Bobby), Bart Douglas, Barbi Jo, Rebecca Danielle (Becky) and Beau James. Bob and Wilma raised the kids on the family farm notheast of Burke, SD. Bart died at the age of 22 in 1986, and Beau died at the tender age of one in 1980, both from unexpected and tragic farm accidents.

Wilma loved being a mother, and gave her children a strong work ethic and a solid set of skills, from working with farm animals and accomplishing various 4-H projects, to gardening, baking, and cooking.

She returned to college late in her life, learning a new skill and starting a new career. She did this while working, taking care of a household, and raising her children. It was in her 40s that Wilma went back to school and received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Sinte Gleska College. While studying at Sinte, Wilma embraced the Native American culture and enjoyed taking her children to Rosebud for pow wows. After graduating, she went on to work with the Head/Home Start program in the Burke, Gregory, Bonesteel areas and in Yankton, SD. Wilma helped give many young kids a solid start to their education, always in a fun and loving way.

On August 10, 1990, Wilma remarried. She and Marlin Sachtjen had a long happy union with many adventures. They owned/managed the Long Branch restaurant and saloon in Burke, SD, for many years. Shortly after getting married, they moved to Yankton and ran Phinney’s, a restaurant and bar. The appeal of small town living eventually drew them back to Burke to manage the Long Branch again. All the while, Wilma continued her job with Head Start.

Wilma and Marlin enjoyed going to the Missouri River to fish and camp. They did this often. After retiring, they took off down the road and explored many places and explored while pulling their camper all over the states. They would often stop and stay awhile where the kids and grandkids resided, which was always fun. They spent a few winters in Arizona and Texas and saw many sights across our great country. Wilma travelled to Japan to meet her first granddaughter with Barbi and her family. She enjoyed experiencing new cultures so later Wilma and Marlin took two granddaughters to France to visit Becky for a few weeks.

Wilma had many dogs - little poodles, schnauzers, or mutts - and cats throughout the years.

Family time was extremely important to Wilma. Her kids and grandkids have many memories of camping trips and holidays spent with grandma Wilma.

She passed away two weeks short of her 80th birthday on July 14, 2023.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents; husband Marlin Sachtjen; and two sons, Bart and Beau.

She is survived by her children: Robert Gnirk Jr. and wife JaNell of Burke, SD, Barbi Law and husband Jon of Schertz, TX, and Rebecca Mitchell of Douglass, KS; seven grandchildren: Bart Russell Gnirk (wife Jessie), Garth Gnirk (wife Kayla), Chance Gnirk (wife Katie), Lacee Law, Maranda Jean Mitchell, Sareena Law, and Codi Rae Mitchell; three great-grandchildren; adopted daughter Wendy Broome (husband Wade and son Jay); and step-granddaughter Jordyn Chandler (husband Bryce and children Miya, Liam, Keaghan, and Harley Jean).

A celebration of life for Wilma will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at the Buryanek Bay Bunkhouse Lodge. A memorial service with food and fellowship will follow.