Funeral Service for Erla Steiner will be on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Sisseton, SD at 10:30 A.M. with visitation one hour prior to the funeral service. The Celebrant will be Fr. Ken Lulf and organist will be Cindy Marohl and soloist will be Scott Anderson.  Pallbearers will be Cory Deutsch, Shane Deutsch, Mike Iverson, Brad Keintz, Greg Birchem, and Larry Peterson. Honorary Pallbearers will be All of Erla's friends, family, and co-workers. Interment will be at St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery in Sisseton, SD. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 29, 2024, at the Cahill Funeral Chapel from 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Cahill Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Erla Mae Steiner was born to Magnus and Alvina (Schlekeway) Iverson in Marshall County on November 16, 1928. Erla grew up as the oldest of nine children. She attended country school and then Sisseton High School through her sophomore year where, as the oldest child, she was needed at home to care for her siblings while her mom taught school.

She met Vernon Steiner while working at the Red Iron Resort and they married on August 17, 1948. They moved from the hills of Marshall County to farm the flat land of Enterprise Township in Roberts County. Together they worked the land, with Erla driving tractor, raking hay, helping milk cows, raising pigs and chickens as well as giving birth and raising the five children born to them: Joyce (Wayne) Deutsch, Lois (Jerry) Keintz, Donna (Billy) Jackson, Verlyn and Keith Steiner.

Once the kids were in school, Erla continued to show her strong work ethic and went to work in Sisseton at whatever jobs that came her way, working at the Tekakwitha Nursing Home, Mobil Cafe, the 10-81 Steakhouse, K&K, and baking buns for Teal's grocery store. She also worked many years for the State of South Dakota as a home health aide assisting her clients with their household chores, various errands and taking them to their doctor appointments in Aberdeen, Watertown, and Fargo. She was known for the compassion she showed them, always going the extra mile to help them out. She said her easiest and most enjoyable job was as the "sample lady" at Teal's where everyone learned her name and recognized her wherever she went. Her claim to fame was that she never retired but was "laid off" due to the Covid pandemic.

Even though it seemed Erla worked from sunup to sundown, she found time to enjoy many hobbies. Her hands were always busy. She was quite skilled with a jigsaw doing decorative woodwork and painting not just one but three 18" x 36" paint by number Last Supper pictures. She crocheted many an Afghan and enjoyed many hours sewing beautiful quilts. Her longest lasting hobby in her later years was embroidery. Her dishtowels have ended up in homes all across the United States. Erla passed her embroidery knowledge on to two of her interested great granddaughters, so her talent lives on.

Vernon passed away in January 1993 and Erla eventually moved to her house in Sisseton where, in addition to her hobbies, she went fishing at every opportunity and never turned down an invitation to go out on someone's boat or pontoon. She also loved to travel and rarely passed up a chance to do so. Erla was a long-time member of St. Peter's Catholic Church and a 45-year member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Erla is survived by her children Joyce (Wayne) Deutsch, Lois (Jerry) Keintz, Donna Jackson; In-laws Betty Iverson, Mary Ann Iverson, Mildred McCully, Maryann Steiner, Gordon Peterson, Daryl Steiner, Myron (Belvia) Steiner, Hildie (Bob) Radtke, Jan (Wayne) Johnson, Patricia Johnson; 7 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Erla is preceded in death by her husband Vernon Steiner; parents Magnus and Alvina (Schlekeway) Iverson; sons Verlyn and Keith Steiner; son-in-law Billy Jackson; brothers Willis Iverson, Royce Iverson, Robert Iverson, Lynn Iverson, Dennis Iverson; sisters Debra Iverson, Wendy Iverson, Shirley Peterson; In-laws Catherine Thompson, Marylee Brock, Kenneth Steiner; and parents-in-law Hildagarde and Louie Steiner

In lieu of flowers, Erla's wish was that memorials be made to St. Peter's Cemetery Fund. Condolences may be sent to Donna Jackson, 1013 Lauren Lane, Goose Creek, SC 29445

Memories of Mom

Erla's daughters shared some of the memories that have stood out in their minds. They recalled that their mom's town work history began because she'd had enough of hauling water to the house and running to the outhouse. She was determined she was going to earn the extra money to pay for running water in the house and she did--for which they were ALL grateful!

Because their mom went to work in town, the girls all learned to cook and put full meals on the table by the time they were 11 years old. They said this might explain why now, at age 70 plus, they are all sick of cooking!

The girls said when they were young, their mom was bound and determined that her kids would learn one way or the other to listen.

They said their Mom threatened that if they didn't pick up and put away their pajamas before they got on the school bus in the morning that she'd hang them out on the tree so everybody could see them. Well, they didn't--and she did. The school bus turned around in their yard like it did every afternoon and to their embarrassment, there were all of their pajamas hanging in the crabapple tree for everyone to see. That lesson stuck.

Lois admitted that she'd always had a smart mouth and was testing her mom's limits at every opportunity. When her mom ordered her to come and "face the music," Lois said, "No! I can run faster than you!" Without missing a beat, Erla said, "I'll be here when you get back."

Erla never got tired of telling the story of going to California for a grandson's wedding and "getting left on Alcatraz." The story varies depending on who's telling it, but it's a popular one!

Erla's travel adventures included a trip with her brother, Royce, taking the train to visit their relatives in Oregon who took them fishing for salmon. Not too many salmon in South Dakota lakes! Other trips included a trip to Alaska and an Alaskan cruise and later a cruise to the Caribbean.

One of her most unusual adventures was with her daughter, Donna and Donna's husband, Bill. She joined them on a military "Spirit of '45" convoy trip from Washington, DC all the way to San Diego. It was 30 days of patriotic stops across the country.