Emma Rose (Miles) Bryant was born on April 21, 1932, in Lebanon Potter, SD, to Patrick and Maria (Loding) Miles.

Emma grew up in Gettysburg, SD, until her father moved the family to Sturgis, SD, for a job at Ft. Meade.

After graduating from St. Martin's Academy, she moved to Rapid City and found a job as a candy striper (Nurse Aide). Emma thought about joining the Army, but wasn't able to as she found out she was expecting.

Emma had her heart on marrying a farmer / rancher. Due to a vehicle accident that Louis W. Bryant was involved in he became a patient at the hospital where Emma worked. Louis and Emma were united in marriage on August 6, 1957. They raised eight children: George Bryant of Mitchell, SD, Therese (Marty) Ennis of Sturgis, SD, Walter Bryant of Nisland, SD, Stark (Mary) Bryant, of Sturgis, SD, Steven Bryant, CO, Babe Bryant-Simon, Sturgis, SD, Dixie E. Bryant, Nisland, SD, and Rex Bryant, CO.

She kept herself busy sewing, baking, had a green thumb for gardening, and reading western books. She was active in the United Methodist Church in Sturgis, and was a member of the Nisland Lion's Club. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and spoiling them.

Emma Rose Bryant, 89, of Sturgis died April 21, 2021, at Monument Health Hospice Sturgis.

Emma was survived by her eight children; twenty-three grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; plus, one great-great-granddaughter on the way, Everleigh Joyce Pengra; and many nieces and nephews.

Emma was preceded in death by her parents, Patrick and Maria Miles; husband, Louis Bryant; two brothers, Ted Miles, and Fred Miles; two sisters, Amanda Kaiser, and Alice Frost; one daughter-in-law, Cindy Bryant; one granddaughter, Vicky H. Evans.

Visitation will be 4-6 p.m. on Monday, April 26, 2021, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis, SD.

Memorial services will be 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at Sturgis United Methodist Church

Inurnment will be at Bear Butte cemetery.

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