Lillian Josephine Kirchgasler
June 30, 1916 — January 25, 2016
Lillian Josephine Kirchgasler, 99, of Aberdeen, South Dakota, peacefully passed into God's hands from natural causes on January 25, 2016. She was a dedicated wife, loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a wonderful example of faith, hope, and kindness.
Lillian was born on June 30, 1916 in Castlewood, SD to Clair and Catherine (Kane) Culey. She had one brother, Leo Culey. After graduating from Presentation College with a nursing degree, she worked at St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen, as a registered labor and delivery nurse. Lillian was in attendance at countless births, most notably at the birth of the first surviving quintuplets born in the United States, the Fischer quintuplets. She taught maternity nursing at St. Luke's Hospital and Presentation College throughout her career.
Lillian's life was lived in love and devotion to her husband of nearly 78 years. Lillian joined lives with Alfred John Kirchgasler in marriage on April 23, 1938. Lillian and Alfred have been devout members of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Aberdeen, since their marriage. They had one child, Mary Jane Kirchgasler (Fiala), born in Bremerton, Washington. Mary Jane had 5 children. Lillian used to say, "Mary Jane gave me more in those 5 grandkids than any number of kids could've given me".
Lillian saw the best in everyone and everything, and she lived in a way that poured love and joy into those around her. Her devotion to Alfred was the epitome of love, and a great example of true love and marriage to their daughter and grandchildren.
Lillian is survived by her husband, Alfred Kirchgasler, 104, of Aberdeen, SD; her grandson, William Alan Fiala, Jr. and wife Anna Marie and great-grandsons Will and Kollen of Carlsbad, NM; granddaughter, Laura Leigh Fiala and Christopher Ortega, and great-granddaughter, Cloe of Albuquerque, NM; grandson, Daniel Ernest Fiala of Albuquerque, NM; granddaughter, Michelle Marie Bamford and husband Larry, great-granddaughter, Faith, and great-grandsons, Isaac, Noah, Joshua, and Matthew of Las Cruces, NM; and grandson, Joel John Fiala and wife Kerri, and great-grandson, Drake and great-granddaughters, Kasey and Jemma of Albuquerque, NM; and a number of other relatives and close friends.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Mary Jane Fiala; her son-in-law, William Alan Fiala, Sr.; her brother, Leo Culey; and parents Clair and Catherine Culey.
Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, February 1, 2016, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 409 2nd Avenue NE, Aberdeen, with Father Michael Griffin as celebrant.
Burial follows at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.
Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.
Visitation will be 4-5 p.m., Sunday, January 31, 2016, at the mortuary followed by a liturgical wake service and rosary at 5:00 p.m. Visitation continues one hour before Mass at church on Monday.
Lillian will be escorted by pallbearers: Alan Fiala, Dan Fiala, Joel Fiala, Ernie Fiala, Larry Bamford, and Chris Ortega, and honorary pallbearers: Will Fiala, Kollen Fiala, Drake Fiala, Isaac Bamford, Noah Bamford, Joshua Bamford, and Matthew Bamford.
"Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die." John 11:26