Myrtle Olfert

Myrtle Olfert, 94, of Marion passed away on Sept. 16th at her residence. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21st, at First Church of God in Marion at 3 pm. Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 20th, in the church fellowship hall from 5-7 pm with a time of sharing at 6:30 pm.

Myrtle Mae (Ratzlaff) Olfert was born April 14th, 1930 to Paul and Bertha Ratzlaff of Marion, South Dakota. She was the oldest of four girls. Sisters Loretta (Walter Berg), Maryann (Gilbert Fast), and Gloria (Roy Schmidt). She passed away in her home in Marion the morning of September 16th due to medical complications. 

Myrtle grew up on the farm helping her parents with farm work. She attended Wayside #11 grade school in rural Marion. After receiving education in Freeman Junior college, she taught in several one room grade schools.

Myrtle met and married her husband Carmi Olfert on August 22, 1952. They raised a family of four boys on the farm teaching them the value of hard work, being both conservative and resourceful. Mom gardened and canned. She was a seamstress, not only working mending things, but also sewing for manufacturing locations in Salem and Freeman, SD. Mom was also the one to help the boys with the financial paperwork needed for college. She served as church treasurer as well as in many other capacities. Mom and Dad were faithful attendees at the Marion Church of God and led by example the importance of attending the church, learning about God’s promises, faith in Jesus and biblical principles. Her sons were raised in a Christian home and taught to faithfully attend and be involved in church. To the end, she attended church services and bible studies and enjoyed spending time with her friends. Mother was faced a significant challenge in her life upon the sudden death of husband, Carmi in November, 1999. This was a difficult time for her, but she continued to her stay on the farm until the boys helped her to move to an apartment in Marion in August of 2020. With the farm acreage sold, mother lived on her own, content to being in her apartment until that Sunday evening when her life was changed forever.

Myrtle is survived by her sons: Wayne (Janet), Rockford, MN, Lonn (Jan), Mont Belvieu, TX, Orlyn (Diane), Madison, SD, Ron (Judy), Tea, SD. To these families were born 12 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by an infant son, her husband Carmi and sister Maryann. 

This is a sad time, but God’s plan was for Myrtle to be called to her heavenly father. During her short hospital stay she had many phone calls with family including video chats, emails, texts and visits. We now all come together to celebrate mom’s long and rich life. For this we say, thank you Jesus and Amen!