Funeral service for Alpha R. Leidle age 97 of Selby will be 10:30 AM Saturday, February 15, 2014 at Kesling Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Mound City Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will be Friday, February 14, 2014 from 5PM to 7PM with the family present at Kesling Funeral Home. Alpha passed away Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at the Selby Good Samaritan Center.

Alpha Ruth (Wessel) Leidle was born on April 23, 1916 to John & Bertha (Werner) Wessel in Mound City, South Dakota. At the age of 6 weeks, the family moved to the farm of her paternal grandparents northeast of Mound City. There she grew up and attended country school. Alpha graduated from Herreid high school in 1935, after which she remained on the family farm.

Alpha and Jake Leidle were married at St. Paul's Lutheran parsonage in Mound City on June 6, 1936. Twins, Gary & Sherry were born April 3, 1940. They continued to live with Alpha's parents on the farm until April 1942, when they moved to Mound City where Jake taught school.

Alpha was a homemaker and devoted wife, mother and grand mother. Her family and church were her life. She tended an enviable vegetable garden each summer, and daily rode her bike around town. An excellent baker and cook of German foods, she delighted in always having treats for family and friends. She spent many hours sewing scrap quilts, which are used and treasured by her family.

Alpha was a devoted member of Zion Lutheran Church and the ladies aid.

Those blessed to have shared her love are her son, Gary (Mary) Leidle, Osceola, WI; daughter, Sherry (Quentin) VanOrman, Hot Springs; grandchildren, Kristi (Brian) Spitzer, Hot Springs; Scott (Leslie) VanOrman, Lander, WY; Tammi Cooley, Rapid City; Reed (Linda) Leidle, Osceola, WI; Amy (Brendan) Aarons, North Andover, MA; Great Grandchildren, Hayley (Brett) Merkel, Groton, SD, Tobie Spitzer, Los Angeles, CA, Jay Cooley, Rapid City, SD, Brittany and Ryan Leidle of Osceola, WI, Marisa and Giana Aarons, North Andover, MA, cousin Omer Wessel, Mound City.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Jake in 1993.