Madonna Nightingale, 74, of White Lake, SD, died Monday, April 24, 2023, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Mass of Christian Burial was April 28, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.
Madonna Jean Nightingale was born August 1, 1948, to Harold and Mary Harriet (Billiam) Schramm in Flandreau, SD. She attended and graduated from Flandreau High School.
Madonna was united in marriage to Erwin Nightingale on April 4, 1970 at St. Simon & Jude Catholic Church in Flandreau.
After Madonna worked at the Silver Dollar Café in White Lake for many years, she began her employment at the White Lake School until her retirement. Over the years she was active in her church, and was a Religious Ed teacher. She loved her time on the farm with Erwin feeding and caring for the animals, especially feeding her favorite calf Baby Ruth candy bars.
Madonna was an amazing, spunky lady who you never had to wonder what she was thinking. Her husband of 53 years, children, and grandchildren were her world. She was the most selfless and hardworking individual. She touched many lives through serving at the café and school, handing out popcorn balls, baking caramel rolls, or just harassing them on the street. It brought her so much joy. She had a true caregiver and serving soul.
Madonna is survived by her husband, Erwin of White Lake; children, Mary (Wade Hooker) Nightingale of Sioux Falls, Amy (Mike) Schlup of Hudson, SD, Christy (Andy) Espedal of Plankinton; five grandchildren, Lane, Allyson, and Kaytlyn Espedal, and Will and Hope Nightingale; siblings, Roy (Ruth) Schramm, Patty Clark, Anita Coplan, and DeVere (Debbie) Schramm; in-laws, Gerald Holzhauser, Marie Johnson, Leonard Nightingale, Doris Schnabel, Deloris (Ron) Kelly, Delbert Nightingale; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her infant son, Harold George Nightingale; infant grandson, Timothy Dennis Schlup; infant granddaughter, Elizabeth Schlup; her parents; siblings, Sharon Muns and David Schramm; and mother-in-law, Minnie Nightingale.