Myrn Marie Heim, 93, of Rockham, SD died Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at Faulkton Healthcare in Faulkton, SD.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Redfield. Father Jim Friedrich will celebrate the mass. After a time for lunch and fellowship the burial will be in St. Thomas Cemetery in Faulkton.

Visitation will be Friday from 1-5:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home and from 6-8:00 p.m., at St. Bernard's, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. (at the church) www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Myrn was born June 9, 1915 to Charles Merrill and Anna Katherine (Lapke) Sparling at the Henry Sparling Homestead near Ashton. Dr. Lawrence Elward and Mrs. Henry (Cara) Sparling were in attendance. Myrn's mother passed away during the flu epidemic in January, 1919. Mary Lapke, Myrn's mother's sister, made a home for Myrn, her younger brother Roland and her father. Myrn was baptized at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Athol, SD on July 11, 1915 by Fr. George MacConnachie with John Lapke and Mary Lapke as witnesses. She attended grade school in Jefferson Township and graduated from Ashton High School in 1932. After graduation, she was employed at the Ashton Post Office until moving to Glendale, CA in 1936. She made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Ray Sparling. She was employed by the US Postal Service in Glendale, Bell Telephone Company and Pacific Scientific Company of Los Angeles where she was a receptionist and PBX operator. Due to the fact that her brother, Roland, was in the United States Navy and stationed in Seattle, WA she moved there in August, 1944. She was employed by Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau before returning to South Dakota in 1946. She was again employed at the Ashton Post Office.

On November 24, 1947, Myrn married Ignatius Heim at All Saints Catholic Church in Mellette. They moved to Faulkton where they were employed by Leonard Lenhoff. In October 1952, they moved to the farm north of Rockham.

Myrn was a lifetime member of the National Bison Association and the Dakota Territory Buffalo Association. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Daughters of America and the Altar Society in Zell, the Rockham American Legion Auxilary and the VFW. Myrn was a charter member of the "Rocking, Rolling Red Hatters Club" in Faulkton.

Myrn enjoyed baking Angel food cakes, making baby blankets that she gave away and giving hugs. She was the most loving wife, mother and grandmother. Her rosary was her most precious possession, she prayed for everyone.

Myrn is survived by her children: Mary Anne Peterson of St. Charles, MN; Margaret "Peggy" (John) Christensen of Wessington, SD; Leonard (Jeannie) Heim of Winner, SD; Nick (Eiko) Heim of Rochester, MN and Merrill (Cindy) Heim of Rapid City, SD; twenty grandchildren and twenty-two great grandchildren and a special friend Terri Mehlhaff.

Myrn was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ignatius in 2003, her son Tony and her grandson Cody in 1994, her brother Roland Sparling in 1997, her Aunt Mary Lapke in 1986 and her son-in law Larry Harmon in 1975.