Obituary of Wilma Faller Kietzmann

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,” Ephesians 2:8 

Armour, South Dakota - Wilma Faller Kietzmann, 92, went to her heavenly home Thursday, December 28, 2017 at Armour Care and Rehabilitation Center in Armour. Funeral service will be Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at 1:00 pm, Redeemer Lutheran Church in Armour with burial following in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Armour. The Reverend Jens Jenson officiating. Visitation will precede the funeral from Noon to 1:00 pm at the church. Arrangements by Koehn Bros. Funeral Home in Armour. http://koehnbrosfuneralhome.com 

Wilma Martha Horst was born on March 7, 1925 in Mission, SD to Herman Walter George Horst and Minnie Martha (Hartmann) Horst (both deceased). Wilma attended Mission, SD grade school and Zion parochial school. Her claim to fame was her grade school friendship with Bob Barker who became the host of The Price Is Right television game show. Her family moved to White Lake, SD for her high school freshman year and then to Delmont, SD where she was a cheerleader and class valedictorian. Her dream of going to college to become a pharmacist was shattered when her father fell off a haystack and broke his neck and back, rendering him a quadriplegic for his remaining 39 years. His injuries were severe and life changing for himself and the family. Wilma, known as “Tootles” or “Toots” and her sister, Winona Bangert (deceased), cared for their Daddy and Mom, using their modest incomes to support the family for several years. She helped her parents in “Horst’s Place,” a Delmont restaurant and bar. She lived most of her life in Armour.

Short in stature at 4’ 10”, she sat on Sears & Roebuck and J.C. Penny catalogs in the car in order to see over the dashboard.  .410 was also the gauge of the shotgun she used to hunt pheasants in her youth.

Strong Christian roots provided her with a foundation of faith and a servant attitude. She was an active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church where she served as Sunday School Superintendent for over two decades, a teacher, member of LWML and Choir. Stewardship of time, talent and treasure were important. Each Saturday Wilma and her young children would clean the house; there the smell of lemon Pledge, meatloaf and baked apples filled the air. Around mid-afternoon Wilma would gather her kids for hot tea and Old Home rolls. It was at this time that she would pay their allowance. The first portion went into offering envelopes, the next to savings bonds, and the last for spending money or further savings. 

Wilma worked as a “public servant” in the Douglas County Court House for 42 years; 34 of those years as County Auditor, retiring in 1991. She was honored to be chosen as the President of the SD County Officials Association from1980-1981. As a single, professional woman, supporting a family, Wilma set an example for young girls and ladies in the community. Her children regularly heard the sound of a borrowed typewriter at midnight as she prepared the county’s checks. As Auditor, her duties included the bounty program where she removed the jaws of fox, coyotes and other predators. She did this gracefully in high heels and a dress, while wielding a tree pruner as her weapon of choice.  

She cherished her Courthouse and church friends, and those who came over to play cards late into the evening after retirement. Baking and serving her co-workers and friends bars, cakes and cookies was her pleasure.

In 1948, Wilma married Orin Otto Faller (deceased). They were blessed with three children, Vicki (Wayne) Klima, Murdo, SD; Jackie (Tom) Fenolio, Spearfish, SD and Jeff (Jan) Faller, Platte City, MO. In 1981, Wilma married Rudolph W. Kietzmann (deceased), and expanded her family with the addition of Rudy’s three children, Gary (Rita) Kietzmann, Ft. Collins, CO; Gregg (Mary Jo) Kietzmann, Ft. Collins, CO and Gayle Kietzmann, Rapid City, SD (deceased). She was blessed with 9 grandchildren (one of which is deceased), and 6 greatgrandchildren.

A few years after retirement, she endured her first of ten major back surgeries. Upon Rudy’s death, she moved to Prairie Villa in Armour where she enjoyed some of the best years of her life. She made many friends and enjoyed playing card and dice games. Seldom able to make it to Church, her Church came to her through Pastor Nour, using her room for worship where Word and Sacrament were shared with fellow resident members of Redeemer. With declining health and mobility, she moved to Armour Care and Rehabilitation Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church.

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 1 Peter 5: 10