Ethelmae (Konshak) Anderson, 90, of Redfield, SD, passed away on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at Community Memorial Hospital in Redfield.

Visitation, with family present, will be from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Monday, March 10, at Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield. A prayer service and time of sharing will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Her Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 11, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Redfield. Reverend John Short will officiate. Lunch and fellowship will follow in the church hall. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Saint Lawrence Cemetery in Milbank, SD.

The prayer service and funeral Mass will be live-streamed on the funeral home’s website below Ethelmae’s obituary. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home (www.hykefuneralhome.com).

Please direct memorials to the Carnegie Library (5 E 5th Avenue, Redfield, SD, 57469), Eastern Star Home (PO Box 150, Redfield, SD, 57469) or Community Memorial Hospital (PO Box 420, Redfield, SD, 57469).

Ethelmae was born April 7, 1934, at home in rural Milbank, to Pat and Hazel (Hyatt) Konshak. She graduated from high school at the age of 16. Ethelmae attended Black Hills Teachers College in Spearfish, SD for one year and at the age of 17, she became the youngest teacher in the state of South Dakota. She taught at several rural schools in Grant County before marrying Arnold Anderson on May 28, 1955. Once married, the couple moved to Anchorage, AK, where Arnold served in the Army. After discharge, Arnold and Ethelmae returned to the Revillo, SD area and Ethelmae resumed teaching in the LaBolt and Grant-Deuel school districts.

The Anderson family relocated to Redfield in 1972. Ethelmae ran a daycare from her home; and managed The Village and Redfield Housing Authority. She was active in the Altar Society, served as eucharistic minister, and taught CCD. She spent many hours with her Birthday Club friends, was very active with the library board, and was ranked second all-time high of checked out books at the Carnegie Library.

After Arnold’s death in 2017, Ethelmae moved to Lakeside Assisted Living, where she was lovingly cared for by Rosie Lemmer. Ethelmae then transitioned to Eastern Star Home, where she received care from a supportive and loving staff. Over and over again, she would say that she loved her view and if she couldn’t be home, Eastern Star was the best place to be.

Ethelmae’s family was her greatest love. Gathering together during holidays and spending time at Big Stone Lake were always memorable occasions. She loved reading, caramel corn, black licorice, and hot water.

Survivors include her children: Bob (Julie) Anderson of Bismarck, ND; Kathy (Brad) Sanderson of Lake Preston, SD; Larry (Vicky) Anderson of Ankeny, IA; and Kristin (Chris) Acker of Omaha, NE. Ethelmae is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and brothers Henry Konshak and Paul “Buzz” Konshak.

She was preceded in death by her husband Arnold.