Anitra Schardin

Anitra Martha Schardin, age 93 years, of De Smet SD, passed away on February 5, 2021, at her daughter's home in Baltic, SD, surrounded by family.

A private funeral service will be held on Friday, February 12, 2021 at 10:30am at American Lutheran Church in De Smet SD.

A public visitation with family present will be held Thursday from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the church with masks and social distancing required. Anitra's funeral will be live streamed through Crawford-Osthus Funeral Home and American Lutheran Church FaceBook pages beginning at 10:30am.

Anitra Martha Jensen was born on the family farm three miles north of Tyler, MN, September 10, 1927, one-half hour before her twin sister, Agneta, to Jens Christian Jensen and Marie Christine (Oerter) Jensen.

Anitra attended Marshfield Township Country School until 9th grade when the family moved from the farm into Tyler MN where she attended and graduated from Tyler High School in 1945.

Anitra worked as a secretary at Lyon-Lincoln Rural Electric in Tyler MN where she met the love of her life, Hilbert ‘Blackie' Schardin.

They were united in marriage on June 12, 1949, in Tyler MN and moved to De Smet SD to begin their married life and raise a family.

Anitra lived in De Smet SD for 68 years before moving to Baltic, SD where she lived with and was cared for by her daughter, Janice.

During her 68 years in De Smet, Anitra worked at Kingsbury Electric Cooperative eventually working a variety of part-time jobs as a bookkeeper for Iverson Chrysler Dealership, Peschel's Meat Locker, and Schmidt's Shoes while being custodians at American Lutheran Church and raising their five children. Anitra and Hilbert also owned and operated Schardin Lane's in De Smet where they enjoyed bowling in single and couple leagues.

They were both excellent bowlers traveling to participate in many State bowling tournaments throughout their married life.

After Hilbert's death in 1974, Anitra found full-time employment at Kingsbury County Soil Conservation Office, Kingbrook Rural Water and eventually De Smet Farm Mutual, where she worked until her retirement at age 65 and was another ‘great memory'.

Anitra belonged to American Lutheran Church in De Smet, was a life-long member of WELCA and Rebecca Circle.

She taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and absolutely loved having all of her family home for the Holidays and attending Sunday services together where the family filled up several pews.

Anitra always put her family first and spoiled them with her famous homemade cinnamon rolls, chocolate chip cookies, krazy korn, her delicious roast beef and pheasant dinners and many other favorites! She made 12 quilts hand embroidering them all for each of her grandchildren that they treasure. Anitra was an avid sports fan and played fast pitch softball up until her third child was born.

She tried cross country skiing, golf and tennis but bowling was her favorite.

Anitra was a huge fan of the Boston Celtics, Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves and Gophers and locally, her De Smet Bulldogs.

She was the #1 fan of any team her grandchildren played on! She was very knowledgeable about sports and could talk the talk with anyone especially her grandchildren who were impressed with her knowledge of many sports. Grandma was their biggest "cheerleader".

She was famous for her post-game discussions with each of them, always encouraging them to do their best, to never give up and to take pride in excelling and being a leader.

She traveled thousands of miles in her 1990 Buick Century to attend the events of her children, 12 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren throughout their elementary, junior high, high school and college years. Anitra enjoyed playing solitaire while watching or listening to sporting events on the television and radio simultaneously.

When the family was all together for her 75th birthday they went bowling and she "beat us all"! Anitra loved the Lord and her family and always put them first.



Anitra is survived by her five children; Sharon Papendick, Burnsville, MN; Richard Schardin, Madison SD; Janice Schardin, Baltic, SD; Diane (Mark) Neu, Alcester SD; and Bradley (Vicki) Schardin, Marion SD; 12 Grandchildren, Sara Albrecht, Sharlene (Johnny) Peterson; Brandon (Rachel) Schardin; Jennifer Grover, Ryan (Megan) Kortemeyer;

Matthew (Renee) Neu, Scott (Alexa) Neu, Todd (Kara) Neu, Trenten (Courtney) Neu; Andrea (Alan) Flyger, Brock Schardin, Cara Schardin and fiancé Tyler Gerdes.

23 Great-Grandchildren:

Kaleb and Siena Albrecht, Savannah, Maya and John Peterson; McKayla and Adam Schardin; Holland, Harper, (twins) Laken and Finley and Crew Kortemeyer; Presley, Bennett, Teagan, Tucker, Jensen, Vernon and Emma Neu and step-grandson, Keaton Stelzer; Shea, Taya and Jade 'Anitra' Flyger; Sister-in-law, Viola (Schardin) Hansen and brother-in-law, Harlan Barck, numerous nieces, nephews and life-long friends who will miss her dearly.

Anitra was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Hilbert Vernon, Grandson, Joshua Kortemeyer, her twin and seven other sisters, two brothers, and eight in-laws; and nineteen Schardin brothers and sisters in-law.

Anitra is the final member of her immediate Jensen family to enter the Gates of Heaven, and what a joyous reunion with her husband and families that will be.

Now the "Kitten Ball" Team is full once more!

Memorials can be given in Anitra's memory to Daugherty House, Sioux Falls SD and American Lutheran Church
Cards and condolence messages can be sent to 630 S 6th Street, Baltic SD

57003

Service Details.

Visitation

When: February 11, 2021 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: American Lutheran Church - DeSmet
Address: 411 4th St SW DeSmet SD SD 57231

Service

When: February 12, 2021 10:30am
Location: American Lutheran Church - DeSmet
Address: 411 4th St SW DeSmet SD SD 57231

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