Gladys Mildred "Sally" Erdahl (Guindon)

Gladys Mildred “Sally” Erdahl, 86, of Plankinton, SD passed away on Monday, January 11, 2021 at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell, SD. Memorial Services are 11:00 A.M. Saturday, January 16, 2021 at the United Methodist Church in Plankinton. A Committal Service will be held at a later date at Mizpah Cemetery, Plankinton. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Sally’s honor may be directed to: United Methodist Church, 210 East Road, Plankinton, SD 57368 or Aurora County Historical Society, PO Box 632, Plankinton, SD 57368. The Service will be live-streamed on “Plankinton United Methodist Church” and “Mount Funeral Homes” Facebook pages, also under “Photos and Videos” in Sally’s record on the funeral home website.

Gladys Mildred (Guindon) Erdahl was born on March 24, 1934 in Plankinton, SD to John and Pearl (Eppendanz) Guindon. She graduated from Plankinton High School in 1952. After graduation she attended the Aberdeen School of Commerce in Aberdeen, SD and was later employed by Malchows of Aberdeen.

She married James Erdahl on December 19, 1954 in Aberdeen SD. Six children were blessed to be part of this union: David James Erdahl, Darrell Lee Erdahl, Dennis John (Deb) Erdahl, Deloise John Erdahl, Debra Marie (Paul) Coon, and George Alan (Becky) Erdahl.

In 1983 she started an adventure that proved to bring a great deal of joy to her life by starting nursing school at Presentation College at the ripe old age of 50 and graduated from Huron College with a degree as a Registered Nurse in 1988.

She was a passionate supporter of Bristol High School athletics and the sport and activities that her children participated in. She was well known by many sports officials in basketball, baseball, swim meets and band activities for her ability to be “vocal” when she felt it was needed.

“Mom” was also well known by her kids and the kids in Bristol as “Columbo” for her adept detective skills. There was many a night that she had discovered that certain people had either snuck out or snuck back in late at night and she would discover what had occurred by reading the tire tracks in the snow or the number of foot prints she had discovered.

Sally spent much of her time, after retirement, cutting out articles and pictures from the local newspaper to help create scrapbooks for the Plankinton School, working with the local museum and attending church at the United Methodist Church and participating in many activities including Women’s Circle and Sunday School. She also participated in as many local activities and events in Plankinton as possible since Plankinton was always home to her no matter where she lived. She was a caring person who was there for anyone with sickness or need of help.

She was blessed with nine grandchildren, four step grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and 11 step great grandchildren.

Sally was preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Wayne, Frank, Deloise, Robert, and Cliff; sisters: LaRayne, Vada, Ada, and Fern; one infant son, Deloise; and two infant grandchildren: Garrett High Elk and Danielle Erdahl.

Surviving Sally along with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren is her sister, Johna Vissia and many nieces and nephews.