Funeral services for Tillie P. Martell, age 89, of McLaughlin will be at 10 AM MT, Thursday, July 15, 2010 at the UCC Church in McLaughlin. Pastors Dennis Forkert and Chris Costrini will be co-officiating. Burial will be in the McLaughlin Methodist Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will be at 6 PM MT with a prayer service at 7 PM MT at the church. Our mother and best friend, went to be with her Lord on Saturday, July 10, 2010.

Tillie was born April 26, 1921, nine miles west of McLaughlin to George and Martha (Moser) Metzger. Tillie grew up on a farm and attended the Cadillac School while she worked on her parents' farm. She worked for the National Youth Administration and did a lot of housework, for many families.

She married our dad, Eugene Adam Martell December 22, 1940, at the First Baptist Church in McLaughlin with Reverend Pakferier officiating. Later on, they moved to the George Metzger farm nine miles west of McLaughlin. They then relocated the family to Big Timber, Montana, where Eugene worked on a dairy farm. In 1947 they returned to South Dakota and lived on the Adam Martell farm 13 miles east of McLaughlin. They raised their family there until 1962 when they moved into the town of McLaughlin.

Tillie worked at the Regional Hospital for four and a half years, worked for social services, and cleaned many homes in McLaughlin. All of this was in addition to her primary life's work of raising her family. Later, after she had heart surgery, she began babysitting. She enjoyed the children and loved them as if they were her own.

Tillie was faithful to her church and gave her heart to the Lord in her teens at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in McLaughlin. Jesus was very important to her and answered many of her prayers. She read the Bible from Genesis to Revelations many times. In her later life she was an active member of the First Baptist Church of McLaughlin. Her spirituality was an important part of her life.

Survivors include three sons and three daughters: Earl (June) Martell of Aberdeen, SD; Linda Merline of McLaughlin, SD; Dennis D (Teresa) Martell of Chanhassen, MN; Richard (Carolyn) Martell of McLaughlin, SD; Kathie (David) Mizera of Spearfish, SD; and Debby (Michael) Maxon of Rapid City, SD. In addition, there are six granddaughters, 10 grandsons and 16 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Alvina Walker of Rapid City, SD, and Martha Walker of Mobridge, SD.

Tillie was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene, in 1986, two sons, Murrel (Marty) in 1984, Roger in infancy, and granddaughter Colette Maxon in 1995. She also lost her parents, three sisters, and four brothers.

We will miss her laughter and her humor with everyday occurrences, but most of all her love which she expressed through her cooking, open arms, her smiles and everything else about her.

Casketbearers are Renee Pred, Gina Malchow, Kari Martell, Lisa Merline, Paula L. Merline, Nicholas Martell, Gregory Martell, Alex Martell, Brian Martell, Brad Martell, Joseph Mizera, Brenda Radensleben, Chad Maxon.

Honorary Bearers are all of Tillie's Great-Grandchildren, Family & Friends.