Leota Fuerst

Leota Laverne Fuerst was born on September 4, 1928 to Gottfried and Elizabeth (Dieterle) Hartman in Delmont, SD. She was the 13^th  in the family of 14 children.

Leota married Ervin Fuerst on October 26, 1947. They made their home in Parkston, SD. Later, they lived in Tripp and Mitchell and eventually settled in Sioux Falls. They loved to travel and saw many sights in the US and traveled to Europe with siblings in 1985. They enjoyed over 66 years of marriage and were rarely seen apart.

Leota held various jobs, which included babysitter, waitress at Truck Haven, fabric department at Britt’s Department Store and housekeeping at Sioux Valley Hospital. After retiring from the hospital, she and Ervin spent the winter months in Apache Junction, AZ. Family and friends were always a source of enjoyment for her and she treasured them all.

Leota loved doing crafts, whether in Arizona or at home in Sioux falls. It gave her great pleasure to gift her crafts to friends and family or display them around her home. She loved dogs and so ginger, Mardi and Mitzi became her “kids”. Leota loved sewing and she and Ervin made many quilts, handstitched or tied by both. She enjoyed camping, fishing, gardening, her many houseplants, puzzles and baking. When you visited, the cookies, pies or bars were always present, made with love and always served with coffee. Leota was a great conversationalist and loved visiting with people everywhere she went.

In 2016, Leota was diagnosed with early stages of dementia and her doctor recommended she move to assisted living. In June of 2016, she moved to Edgewood Vista. She enjoyed the fact she no longer had to do her own cooking, cleaning, and laundry. She made many friends there who continued to keep in contact with cards and letters after she had to enter the Good Samaritan Village in 2020. The Village proved to be just what she needed and she was happy to be in the smaller environment. She felt like she was at home until a stroke removed her from the happy setting. Anyone who came in contact with her, loved her, and commented on what a sweet lady she was. She will be missed by many.

Leota is survived by many nieces and nephews.