Valentina "Tina" Beisch

WAUBAY - Valentina (Tina) Beisch, age 94, of Waubay, SD, passed away with her family by her side on Wednesday, June 14th at Prairie Lakes Hospital. Visitation will be Sunday, June 18th from 5-7 pm with a rosary to follow at 7:00 pm at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. A Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 am on Monday, June 19th at Immaculate Catholic Church in Waubay, SD. Lector for the service will be Jessica McGregor. Burial will be at the Waubay Catholic Cemetery in Waubay. Pallbearers will be Tina's grandsons: Jamie, Troy, Gale, Tyler, Aaron, Wayne, and Jeremy Beisch. Honorary Pallbearers are her granddaughters and great-grandchildren. Tina Beisch was born on May 28, 1923, on the family farm near Grenville, SD. She was born to Joe and Helen (Block) Koslowski. She went through eighth grade at St. Joseph's School in Grenville and then helped on the family farm. She married Gale Beisch on October 5, 1948 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Grenville, SD. The loving couple made their home on the Beisch family farm two miles east of Waubay. Through her life, Tina stressed the importance of faith and family. She and Gale raised their children with the understanding of these principles. Tina kept the home running smoothly. She was an amazing cook, quilter, and clothes maker. She made quilts for each grandchild for their graduation (a memory none are soon to forget). Tina played an important role in the lives of all around her. She raised her 8 children (who blessed her with many grandchildren) and she continued to make herself available to help watch her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as needed. She loved the sound of laughter that filled the house. The grandchildren enjoyed their time as well - playing with toy tractors, doing jigsaw puzzles, word searches, or riding with grandma in the golf cart and Ranger. She was quick to smile and offer hugs to all who graced her doorstep. Besides the love she shared with us, the memories we most associate with Tina will probably be the smells and tastes of her kitchen. No one ever left her house hungry or without some goodies "to take on the road". She was a terrific baker; the mouthwatering homemade bread, raised and cake donuts, chocolate chip cookies, and her pies would fill your stomach and warm your soul. At the end of every meal no matter where or when (yes, even in the field eating a lunch from a cooler) Grandma would ensure you always had a desert. Ask any of her kids or grandkids what their favorite was and you will get a variety of answers - from the banana pudding to cherry jubilee. She had a way with food. She took pride in the food she made and where it came from. She was meticulous with her garden and raised the finest produce. The chickens that she raised, butchered and prepared were amazing and would leave grandkids fighting over the best bits. She would always try to gather everyone for Sunday picnics to connect as a family and share a meal. She was a star put on this Earth meant to shine on the rest of us and keep us in the light. She will be missed by all. Tina is survived by her eight children: Dennis (Sheila) Beisch of Watertown; Gary (Karla) Beisch of Sioux Falls; Diana Beisch of Waubay; Arnie (Paula) Beisch of Waubay; Gene (Marcie) Beisch of Webster; Leon Beisch of Waubay; Marilyn (David) Zubke of Waubay; and Jane (Dennis) Ells of Waubay; 15 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; one brother, Jerry (Annette) Koslowski, of Minneapolis, MN; one sister, Lucy Ravellette of San Diego, CA; brother-in-law Pete Weyer; sister-in-law Carol (Koslowski) Kulesa; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Gale on June 23, 1998; three great grandchildren; her parents Joe and Helen; her sister Florence; two brothers Edmund and David; and her parents-in-law Fred and Kate.