Sylvia Steinheuser, 99, of Redfield, SD, died Tuesday, June 05, 2012 at Community Memorial Hospital in Redfield. Her funeral will be Saturday, June 9, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Redfield. Reverend Todd Bowers will officiate. After a time for lunch and fellowship, the burial will be in Graceland Cemetery near Tulare. Visitation will be Friday from 1-5:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home and from 6-8:00 p.m. at the Eastern Star Chapel in Redfield with a prayer service and Eastern Star service at 7:00 p.m. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Sylvia M. Kopplin was born to Charles and Martha (Brugger) Kopplin at the family farm east of Tulare, SD on November 2, 1912. She attended rural grade school and graduated from Redfield High School. She attended Northern State Teachers College for two years, received her teaching certificate and then taught rural Spink Co. schools.

Sylvia was united in marriage to Milton C. Steinheuser on June 8, 1937 at the Crandon Settlement Methodist Church. They were the first couple to be married in the church and established their home on the family farm to the east of the Church, north of Hitchcock, SD. There they raised their family, farmed and were active in their rural community.

Sylvia was a homemaker, a Sunday school teacher and a 4-H Leader for many years. Sylvia served as Business Manager of the Tulare School from 1964 until her retirement.

In 1970, they built a new home south of Redfield and busied themselves with an abundant garden, landscaping, tree planting and many flowers, as on the farm.

After Milton's passing, she moved to the Eastern Star Home Apartments, and later to the Nursing Home. She enjoyed playing the piano for a time at Chapel, and later singing the old gospel hymns of her time. She loved the visits from her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren right through her 99th birthday, held at the Eastern Star Home.

Surviving family members include sons: Stanley and Janice Steinheuser of Tulare, SD; Alan and Diann Steinheuser of Hitchcock, SD and daughter Mary Jean and Eldon Jensen of Lemmon, SD, nine grandchildren: Mark (Shari) Steinheuser, Julie (Frank) Grehl, Jay (Christy) Steinheuser, Derek (Melissa) Jensen, Kari (Kyle) Thomas, Greg (Tonya) Jensen, Dave (Amber) Jensen, Kristin (Darin) Esser, and Kendra (Chad) Huff; twenty-six Great-Grandchildren, one soon to be great-great grandchild and one sister-in-law Harriet Kopplin of Miller, SD, and many nieces and nephews.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her husband Milton C. Steinheuser, brothers: Milton and Lester Kopplin and sisters: Mildred Kopplin, Vera Lawson and Carol Zeigler Kluthe.