Diane Sturdevant's Mother Passes Away

Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences go out to Diane (Sturdevant) Rolof on the passing of her mother, Verna Sturdevant.   (http://rudesfuneralhome.com/sitemaker/sites/RudesF1/obit.cgi?user=1277267Sturdevant).  Mary Moulton's mother (http://classof69bhs.blogspot.com/2011/05/memorial-service-for-irene-moulton.html#comment-form and http://classof69bhs.blogspot.com/2011/04/mary-moultons-mother-passes-away.html#comment-form), Diane's mother, and my mother were all born in Faulkton, SD, within a few years of each other, so they socialized somewhat.  My mother and Mrs. Sturdevant especially saw each other quite frequently, as they were both active at St. Thomas More Catholic Church.  Before my oldest brother moved away after college, he worked for  Mr. Sturdevant.   He generally referred to him as "Sturdy."  There was a rumor around our household that he studied better at "Sturdy's" than at our house because my other brothers and I played so noisily and probably fought so much that he was not able to concentrate sufficiently.  Communication was not our family's strong suit. The Sturdevants lived on 5th St. near Hillcrest, and I remember walking by their house in the summer as we made our way to the swimming pool. 

Diane's two older twin brothers Bob and Bill graduated in 1967, and were in the last class to graduate from the "old" high school.  After Bill joined the Army, he was sent to Vietnam.  Sadly, he lost his life defending our country (http://thewall-usa.com/info.asp?recid=50450). 

After my folks were married in 1935, they lived in Miranda, SD, a small hamlet near Faulkton. My eight older siblings were born there. Miranda might have been comparable to Bushnell back then.  I don't even know if there is anything left of the town now.  Our family moved here in 1949, so I never had the privilege(?) of living there.  When family members reminisced about life before 1949, two of the names frequently mentioned were Huss, Mrs. Sturdevant's maiden name, and Bowar, the in-laws of her sister.  If my mother were still alive, she would be about the same age as Verna's sister Irene Cordts, who, according to  the relatives, is still mentally sharp at the age of 103.   At the visitation, one of Verna's nephews (Chuck Huss?) had some interesting stories.  He was recalling some hunting expeditions with cousin Bob Sturdevant  near Faulkton.  He was also a student at SDSU in the mid-late 60's, and had some colorful recollections of the good times and experiences at Hort's. 

The basketball coach at Madison when we were in high school was named Jim Cordts.  No one at the visitation seemed to know if there was a connection between him and Mrs. Sturdevant's older sister Irene. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with Diane and her family at this difficult time.