Gaylene Louise Morell was born in Deadwood, SD on September 24, 1946, to Floyd and Betty (Lyons) Varland. She died on October 29, 2014, after a brief battle with cancer. Funeral Services will be Wednesday, November 5, 2014, at 10:00 am at the Grace Lutheran Church in Sturgis, SD. The committal service will follow at 2:00 pm at the Fairpoint Cemetery in Fairpoint, SD. The visitation will be Tuesday, November 4 from 5-7 pm at Kinkade Funeral Home. After the burial there will be a gathering Wednesday, November 5 at 5:00 pm at the Newell Golf Course.

Gaylene received all her schooling in Newell, graduating from Newell High School in 1964. She married David Victor Morell on February 6, 1965, in Newell, SD, and became a ranch wife at Fairpoint, SD. Like many ranch wives, she enjoyed most things on the ranch, but not all. She particularly loved baby calves and halter-breaking colts. David and she raised a son and a daughter on the ranch while working together. Gaylene worked as an aide in the rural Meade County Schools for 20 years. While being an aide, Gaylene helped raise many of "her kids". She enjoyed working men's night at the Newell Golf Course clubhouse for 17 years serving drinks, food and jokes.

Gaylene never let anyone leave her kitchen table hungry after branding. She will be remembered for her apple pie. She loved music and always greeted everyone with a smile and a hug.

She is survived by her husband, David, Fairpoint, SD, son, Keith (Stacie) Morell, Fairpoint, SD, daughter, Vikki Morell (Alan Gifford), Rapid City, SD; grandchildren Katie Remington and Patrick Hamling, Rapid City, SD, and David Morell, Fairpoint, SD; brother, Ron (Nita) Varland, Lima, OH, sister, Betty Jo (Cliff) Melchert, Gillette, WY; sister-in-law, Colleen (Elwin) Yoder, Warsaw, MO, and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.

She was proceeded in death by her parents and her parents-in-law and sister-in-law Diane Troxell.

A memorial will go to MD Anderson Cancer Research.

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