Obituary of Marie Alma Manas

Marie Alma Manas, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by the love of her family on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, after a courageous 6 year battle with cancer. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM, Monday, December 22, 2014 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Yankton, SD with Rev. Ken Lulf officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 5:00 PM, Sunday, December 21, 2014 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton with a rosary at 7:00 PM and Scripture service at 7:30 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers are: Daniel Manas (grandson), Dylan Manas (grandson), Emily (granddaughter) and Phillip Raysby, Alex Dangler (grandson), and Brady Dangler (grandson). Honorary pallbearers will be her other grandchildren. Marie was born November 10th, 1945 on the family farm near Menominee, NE to Andrew and Agatha (Wiebelhaus) Kleinschmit. She grew up on the family farm and attended St. Boniface grade school, Menominee, NE and graduated from Crofton High School. She married her former husband, Marvin Manas in 1965 and moved to a farm near Lesterville, SD where they farmed. She dedicated her life to loving and caring for her 9 children, keeping each child involved in extracurricular activities. Marie had an unwavering faith in God and was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, SD. She taught CCD classes for more than 30 years, was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society, First Catholic Ladies Association, Serra Seminarian Vocation Club, the Koinonia Retreat Group and became an Oblate Novice of St. Benedict Catholic Church. She was a compassionate caregiver who enjoyed working for Avera Sacred Heart Home Care for 16 years. Marie went above and beyond her job to build lifelong friendships with her clients. Even through her 6 year battle with cancer, she continued to volunteer for additional organizations such as The Clothing Closet, Sack Pack Program, The House of Mary Shrine and United Way. Her creative and artistic talents included painting ceramics, sewing, and drawing. Other interests were spending time with family and friends at gatherings and celebrations, visiting, watching movies and playing board games. Additional hobbies include: Baking, gardening, canning, riding a bike, singing, collecting angels, attending church bazaars and traveling, including her spiritual trips to Italy, Germany and other European countries. Above all, her biggest pride and joy was her grandchildren, and she was eagerly awaiting the arrival of her first great granddaughter. Marie will be missed tremendously. She had a big heart and great sense of humor; she touched the lives and hearts of many people. Marie is survived by her 9 children: Lori (David) Lammers of Hartington, NE, Marvin Manas Jr. of Chattanooga, TN, Michael (Melanie) Manas of Utica, SD, Lisa (Wade) Dangler of Yankton, SD, Terence (Lacey) Manas of Utica, SD, Sandra (Eric) Van Driel of Norfolk, NE, Susan (Trevor) Goeden of Yankton, SD, Amie (Andrew) Colvin of Yankton, SD, and Diane (Travis) Krein of Sioux Falls, SD; 20 grandchildren: Blaine, Jenna, and Ryan Lammers, Daniel (Lacey Heller) Manas, Emily (Phillip) Raysby, and Dylan Manas, Alex, Madison, Brady, and Bryce Dangler, Connor and Colter Manas, Kaleb, Gavin and Breely Van Driel, Kaylee and Brooke Goeden, Caden and Evan Colvin, Claire Marie Krein; 6 siblings: Gertrude (Chan) Shippy of Colome, SD, Grace (Don) Mauer of Plainview, NE, Vernon (Patty) Kleinschmidt of Pearl City, HI, Duane Kleinschmit of Yankton, SD, Galen (Betty) Kleinschmit of St Helena, NE, Andrea (Ed) Sudbeck of Fordyce, NE; and many nieces and nephews. Marie was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Bonita and Karen Keinschmit and granddaughter, Magdalene Manas.