Sylvia Schlaht

Funeral services for Sylvia Schlaht were held on Saturday, November 20, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Burke, SD, with Pastor Sarah Hermann officiating.

Music was provided by Trenton Seegers, vocalist and accompanist. Renee Sutton was in charge of registration.

Casket bearers were Benjamin Schlaht, Brandon Schlaht, Amy Petersen, Grant Schlaht, Whit Kruse, Jennifer Kruse, Austin Klundt, Josh Klundt, and Grace Grommesh.

Interment was in the Herrick Cemetery in Herrick, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Sylvia “Syb” was born August 19, 1932, in Tripp, SD, to James Marvin and Mary Minnie (Reiner) Iler, the third of four children. She spent her early years enjoying life on the family homestead NW of Dallas, SD. She spoke with fondness of freely exploring the outdoors, tending the animals, churning butter, riding her pony, and, family trips to town every Saturday.

Sylvia received her elementary education at the country school in Dallas, SD, near the family home, while staying with her grandparents. She attended Burke High School. These years were full of treatment for scoliosis, wearing various painful back braces and built up shoes in attempts of straightening her spine. She would tell her family in the following years, after many back surgeries, to “stand up straight, put your shoulders back”, knowing the gift it was to have a good back and posture. She always displayed resilience and never saw her scoliosis as a hindrance. Sylvia was active in choir and planning social activities. She graduated in 1950.

Sylvia married Maurice Schlaht on December 21, 1952. They were together for nearly 60 years, until Maurie’s passing in 2010. To this union, five children were born: Maurice, Gregg, Melinda, Brenda, and Jody. Maurie and Syb resided in Burke all of their married life, with the exception of two years in Spokane, WA. Sylvia worked at Wischmann’s Dry Goods, various Gregory County offices, ASCS, PCA-Farm Credit Services, and Burke Hospital and Clinic until retiring in 1995.

She treasured spending time together as a family: going to church, enjoying meals, and having picnics. Syb partnered with Maurie’s love of hunting and fishing. She cleaned many geese, pheasants, and fish. She enjoyed watching her children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s milestones, events, and sporting outings. She enjoyed socializing and had fun being witty and kidding people. She found pleasure in sewing, quilting, crafting, gardening, canning, doing puzzles, reading, and baking. The preparation and participation in Burke Farmers Market was always a highlight of her summers.

Sylvia was a strong Christian and faithful active member of United in Faith Parish United Methodist Church in Burke, holding many offices, positions, including United Methodist Women, 60+-year member of Graceland Chapter, and Order of the Eastern Star.

Sylvia Jean Iler Schlaht, age 89, of Burke, SD, passed away due to a short battle with pancreatic cancer on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at Community Memorial Hospital in Burke.

She is survived by two sons, Maurice (Cheryl) Schlaht, Gregory, SD, Gregg (Joan) Schlaht, Deadwood, SD; two daughters, Brenda (Arlyn) Klundt, Winner, SD, and Jody (Pat) O’Brien, Okoboji, IA; grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Ben (Amber) Schlaht, The Colony, TX, Brandon Schlaht, Rapid City, SD, Amy (Braedon) Petersen, Deadwood, SD, Grant Schlaht, Slayton, MN, Whit Kruse, Luverne, MN, Jennifer Kruse, Dominic and Olivia, Luverne, MN, Austin (Hailey) Klundt, Evan and Sylvia, Winner, SD, Josh (Sherry) Klundt, Beckett and Oaklynn, Sioux Falls, SD, and Grace Grommesh, Vermillion, SD; sister-in-law Jane Schlaht, Portland, OR; brother-in-law, Bert Dickman, NY, and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents Marvin and Mary Iler, brothers Orvis James and Calvin Marvin, sister Donna Canon, step-father Paul Kimball, husband Maurice, daughterMelinda Jean, granddaughter Hope, furry friend Millie, many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, and a nephew.