Obituary of Alitha Auch Peterson

Peterson, Alitha Auch

Alitha Auch-Peterson, 98, of Yankton, SD, passed away on Thursday, October 26, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Center in Scotland, SD.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at the Riverview Reformed Church, Yankton SD with Pastor Rod Veldhuizen officiating. Burial will be at the Garden of Memories, Yankton SD.  Visitations will begin at 5 PM at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory with a Prayer Service at 7 PM.   Visitations will resume one hour prior to the services at the church.  On-line condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com.

Alitha was born March 24, 1919 to Henry and Emma (Bender) Schaeffer at their home in rural Menno.  Alitha was baptized at Saron Reformed Church and attended a country school near Menno, SD.  She married the love of her life, Ervin Auch in 1935.  They farmed 5 miles east of Scotland until 1960 when they moved to Yankton near Lewis and Clark Lake.  They owned and operated a Bait Shop and the Red Wagon Motel by Lewis and Clark Lake.  Later they opened Auch’s Marine Boat Shop.  In 1983 they sold their businesses and moved to Yankton.  Ervin passed away in 1983.  Several years later she met a wonderful man, Charles Peterson whom she married and who also passed away.  Alitha also worked part time at Montgomery Wards for 11 years, Chaplins Bridal Shop for 4 years and Ruth’s Stairway to Fashion where she altered and fitted wedding dresses.  Alitha spent her life sewing for her family.  She sewed all of her grandkids wedding dresses, including the bridesmaid dresses and all their prom dresses, along with many other dresses for family and friends.

Alitha is survived by her daughter, Darlene (Larry) Jensen of Yankton, and grandchildren, Wanda Jensen of Yankton, Dana (Don) DeBoer of Harrisburg, SD, Susan (Joe) Johnson of Walker, IA, Alicia Novak and Kris (Harley) Llewellyn of Yankton, SD and Daniel (Melissa) Eich of Sioux Falls, SD.  She is also survived by her great-grandchildren who meant the world to her, they are:  Joshua Jensen of Walker, IA, Jared DeBoer and Collin (Kami) DeBoer of Harrisburg, SD, Marley Johnson and Cole Johnson of Walker, IA, Emily, Ellie and Elizabeth Novak of Yankton, SD, Haley (Michael) Kuchta of Yankton, SD, Hanna Haro of Sioux Falls, SD and Hope Llewellyn of Yankton, SD,  Kyler Eich, Maddy Eich, Brynlie Eich and Lennyn Eich of Sioux Falls, SD and her great-great grandchildren.  Alitha is also survived by her sister, Arlene (Vern) Haase of Scotland, SD and brothers, Ted (Mildred) Schaeffer of Viborg, SD, and LeRoy (Nancy) Schaeffer of Sioux Falls, SD.

Alitha was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Emma Schaeffer; her husband and love of her life, Ervin Auch, and her husband, Charles Peterson, whom she was lucky to find late in life.  She was also preceded in death by her infant son, Alfred Auch and adult daughter, Flora Eich-LeBahn; son-in-law, Larry Jensen and siblings:  Augusta Bertsch, Raymond Schaeffer, Olinda Auch, Clara Friesen, Frieda Schmieckel, Walter Schaeffer and Edgar Schaeffer along with many nieces and nephews.