Gurine Ardell Ailts was born on October 4, 1952, to Gerald and Arla Ailts. She grew up on a farm near Flandreau where she was eventually joined by six younger siblings. One of her favorite activities on the farm was riding her horse, Flicka. She also took piano lessons from her Grandma Simons and became a gifted pianist who played the organ for her church during her high school years. She graduated from Flandreau High School and then attended Sioux Valley Hospital School of Nursing and became a registered nurse. Later she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from South Dakota State University. She spent most of her 44 years of nursing with Sioux Valley (Sanford) Hospital in Sioux Falls During her years as a nurse, she worked in the Dialysis Unit, the ICU, and as a case manager. Her last years as a nurse were spent as a Rescue Nurse. She was a highly skilled and caring nurse, and her excellence was recognized the year she was named Sioux Valley Employee of the Year.
Gurine was a much loved daughter, sister, niece, aunt, and great-aunt. She cared for both her mother, Arla, and her uncle, Waldo Simons, in her home prior to their deaths. Her large extended family adored her and could often be found visiting with her in her house. Gurine baked delicious pies, lemon bars, cookies, and cinnamon rolls, and she made sure to send any leftovers home with her guests.
During her final days she was surrounded, as always, by her brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. Gurine died on June 17, 2022, at Ava’s House.
Blessed and grateful to have been a part of her life are her six siblings, Kevin (Anita) Ailts, Brookings, SD; Rhonda (Jeffrey) VanLeur, Emery, SD; Rolayne (David) Wiest, Pierre, SD; Blaine (Marlys) Ailts, Brookings; Gerald Steven (Sarah) Ailts, Sioux Falls; and Daron (Jill) Ailts, Sioux Falls; 16 nieces and nephews, Miriah Ailts, Kiley Jo Black, Griffith (Nicole) VanLeur, Rachel (Andy) Olinger, Gerad (Miranda) VanLeur, Jessie (Josh) Yttreness, Brooke (Michael) Wiest, Heather (Andy) Stegemann, Matthew (Shanda) Ailts, Jacob (Sami) Ailts, Isaak Ailts, Ian Ailts, Elliana Ailts, Adan Ailts, Maya Ailts, and Zachary Ailts; 20 great-nieces and nephews, Dante and Dax Lee, Kru and Letty Black, Leighton and Oakley VanLeur, Ellison and Colter Olinger, Hayes, Krue, and Kamri VanLeur, Trigg Yttreness, Micah, Blake, and Levi Stegemann, Landon, Logan, and Lane Ailts, and Theodore Ailts. Gurine was preceded in death by her father, Gerald, and her mother, Arla.
Her funeral service was held Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, with burial in Lone Rock Cemetery, rural Flandreau. Memorials may be directed to the Lone Rock Cemetery.
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