Gail Vrchota

Veblen, SD: Gail Vrchota passed away Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at Tekakwitha Living Center in Sisseton, SD at the age of 96.

A private family service will be held for Gail.

Gail Emogene Stanley Vrchota brought so much joy to her parents, John and Carrie (Newman) Stanley, when she entered this world on May 11, 1929. Her "Grandma" Wheeler delivered her at home while her father and her Uncle Tom Stanley went to get the doctor, but she arrived before the doctor did. She was one month late and over 10 pounds! She joined her brothers, Robert and James to complete their family. Gail's mother told her that her dad was very excited that they got a little girl. When Gail was two years old, her father died of pneumonia. Gail's mother raised them alone on the farm and provided for them by milking cows. Gail always talked about how hard her mother worked to keep them going. Grandma Carrie was always Gail's role model of courage, patience, and love.

Mom loved the hills where she grew up and the neighbors around her. She had many stories of walking from her home to school on Stanley Hill. Her brother Jim would help her walk through the deep snow and keep her safe. She was always afraid she would run into a bull along the way and the one time she did, he just looked the other way and she scurried past him safely home. When her kids and grandkids were older, she took them all on the walk from her childhood home to the top of Stanley Hill where she attended school every day. What a great lesson she taught us that day about how good we have it!

Gail boarded in Veblen with her Uncle Fred and Aunt Fern Stanley for a couple of her high school years so she could attend high school. Eventually, her mother moved to Veblen and Gail lived with her as she completed her high school education in 1947. She had such a fun group of friends from high school who continued to get together throughout their lives. After graduation, Gail attended Northern State Teacher's College and received her teaching certificate. She taught for one year in a one-room school house by Marlow, SD and lived with one of the families while teaching.

Gail married Louis Vrchota on September 4, 1950, although they always argued about exactly what day it was! They moved to a farm two miles west and one mile south of Veblen. While they lived here, they welcomed into the world two of their children, Robert and then Nancy. They then purchased the farm they lived most of their married life on which was just a mile north. Here, they welcomed their third and fourth children, Irene and Dorothy. They lived on the farm until they moved to Veblen. Gail and Louie were married for 62 years.

Gail's bright smile greeted customers in the Veblen Bank for 53 years. She loved working at the bank where she knew everyone and everyone knew her. She loved having a career at the bank.

Gail championed her beloved town of Veblen. She attended city council meetings as an interested citizen where often the members of the committee would check in with her about town history. After Mom and Dad moved to town, Mom would walk uptown for coffee or groceries but always with a bag to collect litter along the way. She believed that it is up to all of us to keep our town beautiful. For years, Mom wrote the town news for the local newspapers. She made it her mission to put a fun and interesting twist in every column. People loved reading her news. She was the force that saved the books from the old school library and encouraged the town to open a public library. She believed literacy would make a difference in the world and she wasn't wrong! Mom was aware of the world- she encouraged her kids to do the same by reading, watching news programs and talking about issues. Mom believed that everyone can and should work to be a positive influence in the world. She always saw the world through an optimistic lens.

Mom was involved in almost every group in Veblen - church (ALL of the churches in town), Auxiliary, library council, and many more throughout the years. She was an active member of St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church where she was a welcoming and smiling face to new people. Mom lived her faith and her faith could be witnessed through her actions and the way she related to everyone. Welcoming is the theme of Mom's life. Whether at work, church or home, Mom always found a way to reach out to people and let them know they are important and thought of - often with little letters and notes through the mail.

Mom was Dad's cheerleader. Dad hauled his accordion from place to place and Mom was there to support him and dance to his music. Even at home, Dad would play his accordion and Mom would take a break from whatever task she was working on to dance around the kitchen. For years, Mom and Dad participated in the local square dancing club. Gail and Louie were supportive of each other and had a wonderful life together. They loved going for rides throughout their beloved part of the state. They reminisced about who used to live where and what these crops look like and who looks like they need rain. Mom MOSTLY enjoyed Louie's hobbies but may have wished there were a few fewer dogs on occasion! Gail was a good sport. She was up for her kids' and Louie's adventures. She enjoyed a joyful laugh often brought on by one or another of her sons-in-law.

Mom made growing up fun. She encouraged creativity and imagination. She made the commonplace events special. She loved a good tea party underneath the willow tree complete with dress up hats. She had special gifts and traditions that she shared with her grandchildren from letters sent with fun items to special treats. We will always remember her homemade buns, kolaches, dumplings, and perhaps most remembered, her scalloped potatoes.

Gail's children are grateful for the role modeling she provided throughout their entire lives. She modeled joy, respect, patience, curiosity, understanding, tolerance, generosity, love, and many more wonderful qualities.

Gail was preceded in death by her husband Louis, her two brothers and her mother and father. She leaves behind her children; Robert ( Pam White Bull), Nancy (Sherman Hustel), Irene (Jim Cooley), and Dorothy (Jeff Nelson), her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; Meagan Deutsch (Cory), Kristin (Cory) Pester, Ben (Vanesa) Hustel, Carl Cooley, Ian (Jordana) Nelson, Jesse Nelson, Maysa Deutsch, Brodie Deutsch, Adam Hustel, Nayeli Hustel, Grace Pester, Andy Hustel, Louis Pester and Soraya Deutsch.

Condolences may be directed to the family in care of Nancy Hustel - 10523 453rd Ave – Veblen, SD 57270.