Nyla Amundson

Nyla Jean Reetz was born on August 25, 1942, at Webster, South Dakota to Walter and L. Margaret (Hutchinson) Reetz. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Webster. She attended country school at Airport #109 and graduated from Webster High School in 1959. She furthered her education at Augustana College in Sioux Falls and graduated with a teaching degree in 1963.

On September 28, 1968, she married the love of her life, John Amundson, at St. John’s Lutheran Church. The couple made their home on the farm northwest of Webster until they moved into town in the spring of 1996. Growing up on the Reetz Farm and later joining John on the Amundson Farm was a cherished part of Nyla’s life. Nyla and John were blessed with three children; Carol, June, and Wally, who were the light of their lives. 

Nyla spent 28 years as an elementary teacher in Sioux Falls, Roslyn, and Webster before her retirement in 2004. Teaching was Nyla’s passion and she touched many lives throughout her career and even after retirement through tutoring young children in her community. After her husband John passed away in 2010 she continued to live in Webster. In 2017, she moved to Harrisburg where she was able to spend a lot of time with her children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

She served many active years in American Lutheran Church (which she joined after her marriage), Shalom Lutheran Church in Harrisburg, SDEA, Farmers Union, Sons of Norway, and Day County Democrats. She also served on the Bethesda Nursing Home Board, volunteered at Needs Anonymous, PACH, the museum, the Harrisburg Area Food Pantry, as well as other community functions in Webster and Harrisburg.

The greatest joy of her life was being with her family. She also enjoyed teaching, working as the Sunday School Superintendent, attending Circle, and spending time with family and friends. The woman we called mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother was the most caring, giving, selfless woman of God that we are beyond blessed to have had in our lives. Even within a single interaction with Nyla, a person could begin to know and understand Nyla’s radiant personality of grace, patience, and kindness. She embodied the best of qualities; love, strength of spirit, and an unending generosity for all those around her. When Nyla entered the room, she graced everyone with her presence; full of life and full of Christ. 

Nyla was thankful to God for each new day of her life after her bout with cancer in 1987. Nyla spent her life studying God’s word and growing in God’s glory. Nyla taught and spoke of God’s love and unending grace and exemplified faith, hope, and charity unfeigned. She will always be remembered as a true woman of God. 

Nyla passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 81 years, 6 months, and 16 days.

Survivors include her children, Wally (Sandra) Amundson of Sioux Falls, SD, June (Bill) Petersen of Manly, IA, and Carol Amundson of Phoenix, AZ; 13 grandchildren, Shea (Jillian) Amundson, Logan (Cole) Amundson, Christian (Kate) Hogan, Kirynn (Ashton) Larsen, Kaedin Hogan, Justin (Kayla) McMillan, Andrew (Ashley) Lauritson, Patrick (Lisa) Lauritson, Amanda (Joseph) Schauble, Shayna (David) Bello, Johnny Petersen, Jordan (Sarah) Petersen, and Courtney (Andrew) Petersen; several great-grandchildren, and one brother, Lyle (Linda) Reetz of Webster, SD. She was preceded in death by her parents, and husband, John.