Mardella Gortmaker

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Mardella Gortmaker, 81, of Watertown and formerly of Miller, passed away Saturday, August 12, 2023, at the Jenkins Living Center in Watertown.
Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, August 17, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church, Miller, with Rev. Teresa Whetsel officiating. Burial will follow at G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at Reck Funeral Home, Miller.
Mardella Marie (Tiff) Gortmaker was born on November 9, 1941, to Harry & Hazel (Lancaster) Tiff on the farm. She grew up near Doland and attended country school through the 8th grade. Mardella and her family moved to California where she entered high school.
She met Louis (Louie) Gortmaker in Doland, while she was back for a vacation, and he followed her back out to California where they then got married on January 4, 1958. They, then, moved back to Miller, where she worked for Rexall Drug for over 30 years until her health forced her to retire. She, then, moved to Henry in 2011, where she resided until becoming a resident of Jenkins Living Center in Watertown until her passing. The Jenkins nursing staff was like a second family to her.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Miller. She loved playing bingo, dancing, playing cards, and she bowled for many years. She also loved spending time with her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. She was a great cook and baker and LOVED Elvis Presley. Mardella also loved reading and doing crossword puzzles.
She is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Roxanne (Fain) Geiger of Henry, SD; granddaughter, Alyssa (Earl) Rhody of Clear Lake, SD; grandson, Kelby Goodall of Henry, SD; great grandchildren: Tierra (Chris Page) Rhody of Henry, SD, Hayley Goodall of Henry, SD, and Travis Goodall of Henry, SD; great great grandchildren: Zaliah Breese, Willow Breese, Gavin Page, and Jameson Page of Henry, SD; brother, Darrell (Shirley) Tiff of Branson, MO; several sisters and brothers-in-law; nieces; and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Louis (Louie) Gortmaker; an infant son, Randy Gortmaker; parents: Harry and Hazel Tiff; sisters: Janice Battest and Evelyn Tiff; brothers: Delbert Tiff and Allen (Keith) Tiff; mother and father-in-law; grandparents; and several sister and brothers-in-law; and nieces and nephews.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Mardella's arrangements.