News Staff
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
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.