Selma "Sallie" Settje

Selma “Sallie” Settje, age 102, of Milbank, SD, formerly of Corona, SD, passed away on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at St. William’s Care Center in Milbank, SD.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Corona, SD. Visitation will be held on Monday, December 12, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Reverend Arthur Drehman will officiate the service and interment will be at Kilborn Lutheran Cemetery.

The service will be live streamed and recorded and will be viewable at the bottom of this page.

Sallie (Steinberg) Settje was born to August and Alma (Clark) Steinberg on October 11, 1920, on her family farm in Spring Grove Township of Roberts County, SD. She graduated from Summit High School on May 23, 1939. Sallie knew the importance of having an education. She defied her parents’ wishes and attended high school. She paid her way through school by assisting teachers and helping with projects. She often shared how proud she was that her determination and hard work lead to receiving her diploma.

After graduation, Sallie worked at the Wilmot Café. The café is where she caught the eye of Marvin Settje. He came in to celebrate a baseball victory. Sallie fell in love with his eyes, smile, and quiet ways.

During the war, they parted ways as Marv was called to construct the Alcon Highway and Sallie worked in Rochester, MN. Sallie had the privilege of being trained as a weather observer working for the Weather Bureau until 1945 when Marv asked her to move home by him.

On February 5, 1946, Sallie and Marv were married in Milbank at the Methodist parsonage due to a snowstorm. They made their home in Corona, SD, and were blessed with three sons. Sallie worked as a cook at the Corona School where she loved meeting and interacting with students. She was a bookkeeper at Corona Grain and Feed for 32 years. She retired in 1989. Sallie was a member of the Trinity Lutheran church where she taught Sunday School, lead the Dorcas Ladies Aid, and quilting circle. She loved the community of Corona and was a founding member and president of the Senior Citizens until 2012.

Aside from her faith, family was the most importing part of Sallie’s life. She always looked forward to the Settje family reunion. Her pride and joy were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a devoted fan at all their activities and one of their biggest cheerleaders throughout their lives.

Sallie loved telling stories and preserving history. She spent endless hours researching and recording family genealogy, scrapbooking photos, and filing newspaper articles. She leaves behind a wonderful story of a determined woman who was full of faith in Jesus and love for her family and community.

Left with her loving memory is her son, Alvin Settje of Corona,SD; son, Jerry (Ruth Ann) Settje of Corona, SD; daughter-in-law, Laurie Settje of Corona, SD; grandchildren: Angela (Evan) Grong, Christopher Settje, Craig (Rachel) Settje, Amanda (Michael) Thronson, Catherine (Michael) Hanten, Abby (Andrew) Rogers, Jennifer (Ryan) Stelter; nine great-grandchildren; and brother, Eugene.

Sallie was preceded in death by her parents, August and Alma Steinberg; husband, Marvin Settje; son, Ronald Settje, daughter-in-law, Beverly Settje; sisters: Laverna and Marlene; and brother, Milford.