Emma Jarl

    Emma Jarl, age 102, of Kadoka, S.D., formerly of White River, died on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at the Kadoka Nursing Home.
    Emma M. Petranek was born April 7, 1914, to Joseph and Anna (Holmolka) Petranek. She was born and raised 12 miles northwest of White River on the family homestead.
    Emma stayed on the family homestead and also worked in White River until she was united in marriage to Oswald Jarl in November of 1937 and the couple resided on the family ranch until Oswald's death in 1988.
    Emma was involved in the family ranching operation for many years and was a mother to two daughters. Emma was active in the White River community and served as a school board representative, Sunday school teacher and a host of other special projects during her 94 years in Mellette County. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and was a very special friend to many of the early pioneer residents of Mellette County.
    Emma and Oswald traveled on South Dakota Stockgrowers tours for many years and visited many foreign lands and many parts of the United States during their travels as well as visiting Oswald's family in Sweden on several occasions and her distant family that remained in Czechoslovakia.
    At the spry young age of 94, Emma left her home of over 70 years and became a resident of Kadoka, where she remained active in the senior community there and made many new friends and enjoyed her new community while still keeping in touch with friends and family in the White River area as well.
    Survivors include two grandsons, Stanley Knispel and his wife, Deborah, of White River, and Steven Knispel and his wife, Cheyenne, of Reno, Nev.; three great-grandchildren, Trey and Savannah Knispel of White River and Cody Knispel of Reno; one brother, Ed Petranek and his wife, Alice, of Belle Fourche; and a host of other relatives and friends.
    Emma was preceded in death by her husband in 1988; her daughters, Sonja, at the age of 5, and Sandra, at the age of 54; her parents; two brothers, Joseph and Ben Petranek; three sisters, Clara Ohlmert, Martha Schwanz and Lillian Chamberlin; and her son-in-law, Charles Knispel.
    Memorial services were held Tuesday, Oct. 4, at the Kadoka Nursing Home, with Pastor Todd Gullickson officiating.
    Private family interment was at the White River Cemetery.
     Arrangements were with Rush Funeral Home of Kadoka.