Funeral services for Gwen Biersbach, 96 of Mobridge will be 10:30 AM Friday, October 4, 2013 at Trinity Lutheran Church. Burial Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation. Thursday, October 3, 2013 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM family will be present at 6:00 PM to greet friends at Kesling Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Gwen passed away Tuesday, October 1, 2013 at Mobridge Regional Hospital.

Gwenneth Artley was born December 1, 1916 at Vermillion, South Dakota to Kenneth and Eleanor (Rutherford) Artley. Gwen grew up in Vermillion and graduated in 1933, she then attended USD in Vermillion graduating in 1937 with a BA in Journalism and English. While at college Gwen was affiliated with Chi Omega Sorority. She was very involved in the Wet Hen Mag. and USD coyotes, and KUSD Radio at the University, as she enjoyed being a part of the journalism activities at the University. Her junior year she was inducted into the Alpha Chi Alpha Journalism Fraternity for outstanding journalistic achievements. Her senior year she was elected Miss Dakota at USD (which was homecoming Queen) this was the first year that an official coronation was held.

Gwen taught in Dickens, Iowa and Harold, SD for 2 years before moving to Mobridge in 1940, she taught in Mobridge from 1940-1941. On August 7, 1941 she married Henry Biersbach in Vermillion, SD. After December 7, 1941 because of the war she returned to teaching at Mobridge. In April of 1942 she moved to Camp Roberts in Lawton, CA to be nearer to Henry while he was in the service. In 1944 Henry was discharged and they returned to Mobridge and Gwen returned to teaching until 1949. Gwen also worked on the Society Desk at the Mobridge Tribune from 1950-1955. She became a member of the Eastern Star and was Worthy Matron in 1953. In 1959 she went back to teaching for another 12 years and in 1972 she retired after 28 years of teaching to care for her husband who was ill. Henry passed away in June 1975.

Gwen enjoyed golfing and during her lifetime won City Champion for 3 years in a row. played duplicate bridge with Lucy Rothstein and helped organize a State Duplicate Bridge League. She also enjoyed traveling going to many places in the United States making nearly every state.

She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Women of the Moose, order of Eastern Star and belonged to the Arts and Travel Club for over 50 years.

Gwen is survived by 12 nephews and nieces; Mary Mirabella, Janet Weiger, Robert McDonald, John McDonald, Don Artley, Doug Artley, James Howell, Robert Biersbach, Jon Biersbach, Shala Knutsen, Glenda Biersbach and Margo Harbridge. Also surviving are 2 sisters; Eleanor McDonald and Sally Meisenholder both of Fallbrook, CA., sisters in law; Dorothy Artley of White Fish, Montana, Maxine Biersbach of Bristol, SD.

Gwen was preceding her husband, parents, brother, Carvel Artley and 2 brothers in law, and sister in law Florence Howell.