Myrna Schrader

Funeral services were held on Friday, March 25, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at the Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Bill Serr officiating.

Marlene Rezac and Marcy Creekmur were in charge of registration, and Kristi Drey was flower attendant.

Casket bearers were Matt Schrader, Duane Pulse, Rod Whitney, Tucker Whitney, Zane Whitney, and Brian Schrader. Honorary casket bearers were Carol Feyereisen, Evelyn Rezac, Linda Vomacka, Jim and Darlene Doyle, Dorothy Pulse, and Paula Cooper.

Interment was in the Graceland Cemetery in Burke, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Myrna Raye Alexander was born on January 7, 1939, in Holt County, NE, to Wardell Alexander and Alice (Allshouse) Alexander. Myrna passed away on March 19, 2022, at Tieszen Memorial Home, Marion, SD, at the age of 83.

Myrna grew up on a ranch in Nebraska, near Naper and Stuart. Myrna attended Dustin Country School until 1950, then finished her education at Stuart, graduating in 1956.

Myrna married Laverne Schrader on June 1, 1959, at the Methodist Church in Jamison, NE. To this union, three children were born: Mark Laverne, Jolene Raye, and Leanne Raye. Laverne and Myrna worked for various ranchers in Nebraska until moving to the Paxton area south of Dallas, SD, in 1969. Together they milked cows, raised hogs, and farmed while raising their family. Myrna spent many hours gardening and canning the produce. She also enjoyed flowers and house plants. Myrna was a talented seamstress, quilter, and embroiderer. She taught herself how to knit and crochet, creating many beautiful projects for family and friends. She was a member of the Quilt Guild.

Myrna began working at Gregory Hospital as a cook in 1980, and worked there for 20 years. After retiring from the hospital, Myrna pursued her life dream of opening a quilt shop. Myrna operated Quilt Stitchery, creating custom quilt tops, quilting projects made by others, creating beautiful designs with her quilting machine. Myrna quilted over 1000 quilts in her shop. Myrna also sewed and mended for others. Myrna continued operating her quilt shop until her health forced her to retire in October of 2018.

In January of 2019, Myrna and Laverne moved to Tieszen Home in Marion, SD - Laverne to the nursing home and Myrna to assisted living. Laverne passed away in February of 2020, and Myrna moved to the nursing home in June 2020. Laverne and Myrna celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2019.

Myrna is survived by her son Mark Schrader of Gregory, SD, daughter Jolene (Howard) Pulse, Salem, SD, and son-in-law Dan McIntyre of Arizona. Grandchildren: Melanie (Clint) Peck, Burke, SD, Erin Schrader, Grand Island, NE, Matt Schrader, Gregory, SD, Melissa (Brett) Avant, Avon, SD, Halee (Kolby) Mach, Tyndall, SD, Amy (Justin) Koch, Sioux Falls, SD, Duane (Erin) Pulse, Marion, SD, Kally Pulse, Salem, SD, Aliison (Brian) Gullickson, Yankton, SD, and Jennifer (John) Baumert, Omaha, NE; 19 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; sister Linda (Pat) Mitchell, Scottsdale, AZ; sisters-in-law: Mary Schrader, Mitchell, SD, Delores Novotny, Winner, SD, Julie Miller, Rapid City, SD, Carol Feyereisen, Iona, SD, and Geraldine Feyereisen, Gregory, SD; brothers-in-law: Danny Schrader, Jamison, SD; Stephen Schrader, Jamison, SD; Duane (Kelly Tuttle) Schrader, Jamison, SD; special cousin Jim (Darlene) Doyle, Gregory, SD; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Laverne; her parents Wardell and Alice Alexander; daughter Leanne McIntyre; sisters Inez Schrader, Mardell Faye, and Nyla Alexander; and brother Wardell (Bud) Alexander, Jr.