Funeral services for Matilda "Tillie" Walth, age 89 of Mobridge will be Wednesday August 4, 2010 at 11:00 AM at St. Jacobi Lutheran Church in Glenham. Burial at Greenwood Cemetery in Mobridge under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will be Tuesday August 3, 2010 at 2:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Tillie passed away July 29, 2010 at the Golden Living Center in Milbank.

Tillie's smile touched the lives of many
A stroke did not interfere with Tillie's smile. Her continuous smile made a lasting impression for all the people in her presence, especially her family, friends, caregivers, and rehabilitation therapists. While a resident at the Golden Living Center in Milbank, SD, Tillie was a determined woman. She used every ounce of energy to complete her physical, occupational, and speech therapy. She wanted to return to her home in Mobridge. Instead, Tillie's strong Christian faith took her to her heavenly home.

Matilda "Tillie" Walth was born May 27, 1921 to August and Matilda (Seigle) Lutz on a farm 20-25 miles South of Isabel, SD. She was baptized on June 6, 1921, at Luth Hoffungs Church and confirmed on July 7, 1935, at the Evangelical Lutheran Friedens Church in Isabel, SD. She attended the Boehler –Lutz school, not far from their farm. In fall of 1936, she moved with her parents to Isabel where she attended high school and graduated in 1940. She worked in Isabel until the spring of 1941 when she moved to Mobridge to work at the Star Bakery. She made her home with the Emil Becker Sr. family, who owned and operated the bakery. She served her country in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corp and was honorably discharged in August, 1943.

On December 5, 1943, she married Richard Walth at St. Jacobi Lutheran Church in Glenham, SD. Tillie and Richard made their home on Richard's family farm. In 1988, when Richard retired from farming, they moved to Mobridge where she resided until her stroke in December 2008. She was a resident at the Golden Living Center in Milbank, SD until her death on July 29, 2010.

As a devoted Christian, Tillie was an active member of St. Jacobi Lutheran Church and Ladies Aid since 1943.

Tillie is survived by one son Allen,(Becky) Walth; two daughters, Sharon (Raymond) Rayman of Tempe, AZ and Gloria (Jim) Hanson of Milbank, SD; nine grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren, and nine great great grandchildren; one brother Raymond Lutz of Mobridge, SD. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, parents, 7 brothers and three sisters.

While living on the farm, Tillie loved caring for her family, garden, and farm chores. When she wasn't helping the children with their school work and 4-H projects, milking cows, raising chickens, gathering eggs, or washing the car, she was busy baking! The freezer was always filled with home-made goodies. If anyone went hungry, it was their own fault!

Following a trip to California in 1954, traveling became an interest of Tillie and Richard. They traveled all over the United States and Mexico. In 1973, they traveled abroad to Europe and found time to visit their son, Allen, who was stationed in Germany. They enjoyed their annual winter visits to Arizona to visit Sharon, Ray, and family. They also enjoyed making regular visits to Milbank to spend time with Gloria, Jim and family.
In her retirement years, Tillie occupied her time during the winter months by embroidering and quilting. She made several baby blankets and quilts. During the summer months, Tillie loved to work in her yard and took great pride in having received the "Beautiful Yard of Mobridge" award.

Tillie enjoyed spending time with friends and family. She enjoyed the socialization at the Senior Citizens Center in Mobridge. She looked forward to the weekly card games with her friends. As a member of a "Friendship Club", she enjoyed the kinship and community service projects.

Tillie loved her family. She always smiled and laughed as she attended family events be it a birthday, anniversary, school or sports event. Up to the last days of her earthly life, she continued to greet family with a smile and respond with a whisper "I love you too."