Carmelita "Clarita" Callo (Lazaro) Iversen, 64, of Sturgis, died Thursday, June 12, 2014, at her home.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 17, 2014, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Funeral services will be held at 10:00am on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at Kinkade Funeral Chapel with Chaplain Randy Bradley officiating. Burial will follow at Bear Butte Cemetery.

Carmelita was born in San Antonio, Zambales, Republic of the Philippines on November 18, 1949. She was the eldest child of Prudencio, a farmer, and Consolacion (Callo) Lazaro. She attended school in San Antonio, and graduated from secretarial college, she then worked briefly in local government before beginning work at San Miguel Naval Station as a housekeeper. Later she began working on Subic Bay Naval Station as a housekeeper, where she met her future husband, Dennis, who was stationed there with the US Navy. She and Dennis were married on March 9, 1981.

In 1982, they moved to South Dakota, where they lived for the remainder of her life. The family lived briefly in Blunt and Murdo before settling in Sturgis in 1989. Carmelita began working at the Sturgis Hospital, first in the dietary department and then as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), where she remained until her death. She was highly revered by both staff and patients for her dedication, patience, and caring.

Family was Carmelita's highest priority. She was a talented cook and hosted countless holiday gatherings. She loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Generous and thoughtful, she could often be found shopping at JC Penny for gifts for her family and co-workers. She was also creative and enjoyed sewing, crocheting, and on rare occasions, playing guitar.

She is survived by her husband, Dennis; daughter, Elizabeth; son, Donald; two grandchildren, Gabriel and Liam; as well as three younger brothers, still in the Philippines.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

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