A funeral service for Myrna Verona Pechota, age 81, of Colome, South Dakota, was held at 10 a.m., Monday, September 7, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church in Colome. Pastor Don Windsperger officiated the service.
Organist Roxi Summerville accompanied the congregation on several hymns. Ashton and Kalli Summerville were in charge of registrations, and the flower attendant was Nancy Miller.
Casket Bearers were Kaden Pechota, Dylan Richey, Nick Hardy, Austin Vaughn, Ron Miller, and Leon Summerville.
Interment was at the Colome City Cemetery.
Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Myrna Verona Pechota was born on July 26, 1945, at the hospital in Burke, South Dakota, to Marion and Dorothy (Miller) Fetzer. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Colome, South Dakota, where she remained a lifelong member.
She attended all eight years at Grandview Country School #73, located south of Colome. She then attended Colome High School, where she was crowned Homecoming queen and graduated in 1963.
After graduation, Myrna worked at Gregory Hospital and Nursing Home, where she met Larry Pechota. The two were married on September 2, 1965. They began their married life in Gregory before moving to Ainsworth, Nebraska, where they welcomed three children: Teresa, Randy, and Tammy.
In 1979, Myrna and Larry moved back to Colome, where they farmed and raised their family. Myrna resided on their farm until 2023, when she moved to Golden Prairie Manor in Winner. She made many new friends there and truly enjoyed the time she spent with them.
Myrna had a special talent for creating beautiful flower arrangements and had many happy years working at the Gregory and Burke flower shops. She was a wonderful cook who could prepare a meal for a large group of people and somehow make it look effortless. She loved gardening, canning, sewing, and crafting, talents that made her a natural homemaker and perfectly suited to life on the farm.
Myrna also had a special gift with animals. Her quiet and gentle nature seemed to draw them to her, and she always had a soft spot for animals—especially her grand-dog, George.
Above all, Myrna cherished her family. She was a proud grandma to Abby, Dylan, and Kaden, and a loving great-grandma to Blaine. She took great joy in watching her family grow and will be remembered for the love, warmth, and care she gave so freely to those around her.
Myrna Pechota passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at the Long Term Care facility in Winner, South Dakota, at the age of 81.
Myrna is survived by her children - Teresa (Tim) Lincoln of Colome, Randy (Holly) Pechota of Colome, and Tammy (Steve) Richey of Wewela; grandchildren, Abby (Nick) Hardy, Kaden Pechota, and Dylan Richey (Cerington Jones); one great-grandchild; sisters Caroline Peterson and Jeanette Miller; brother Jerald Fetzer; sisters-in-law Bev (Jerry) Vaughn and Kathy (Dennis) Thompson; and many special nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Larry; her parents, Marion and Dorothy Fetzer; brothers-in-law Dale Peterson and Roger Miller; and sister-in-law Bonnie Fetzer.
