Christa Sihrer, 64, of Redfield, died Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at Golden Living Center in Redfield. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, June 15, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Redfield. Father William Osborn will celebrate the mass. After a time for lunch and fellowship the burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Zell. Visitation will be Sunday from 2-8:00 p.m. with a rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Christa Maria Katharina was born November 19, 1944 in Herzogenaurach, Germany to Johann and Katharina (Hildel) Lohmaier. Christa grew up in Herzogenaurach with her sisters Hanna and Annaliese and her brother Lorenz. She graduated from school in 1958. Following graduation, she worked at Schaeffler Industries as a secretary. She met Norman Sihrer while he was in the United States Army, stationed in Herzogenaurach, they were married on April 15, 1963. They lived in Germany until October, 1963 when they moved to Zell, SD and made their home on the family farm. Christa raised her family and was a farm wife until 1973, when she began working as a cook at the South Dakota Developmental Center-Redfield. She eventually became Food Service Director and worked there until her retirement. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in 2001 and has been at Golden Living Center since 2004.

Christa was best known for her cooking, creativity and sense of humor. She loved art, reading, gardening and cooking. She was a devoted wife, proud mother and loyal friend to those she loved. She loved spending time with her family, grandchildren and great grandchild, especially around the holidays, where her cooking talents were shared by all. She also enjoyed gardening and shared her flowers and produce with family, friends and neighbors.

Christa was a member of the Catholic Daughters and an active member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church.

Christa is survived by her husband Norman of Redfield; her three daughters: Susan Sihrer (Chris Wilcox) of Hill City, SD and her children: Jen (Dustin) Otto of Tulare, SD; and daughter Ashlyn Otto and Ian McCafferty of Spearfish, SD; Cheryl Sihrer (Paul Hanson) of Huron and her son Andrew of Brookings, SD (currently serving in the US Army in Ft. Hood, TX; and Christina Sihrer (Mike Adam) of Rapid City, SD and her son Tyler. She is also survived by her sisters: Hanna Lohmaier and Annaliese Fagin of Germany and her brother Lorenz (Traudel) Lohmaier of Erlangen, Germany.

She was preceded in death by her parents.