Myrtle Lorraine (Hauge) Ham, 90, of Sioux Falls departed to meet her maker on April 21, 2020. Myrtle took her last breath, due to congestive heart failure, at Sanford Hospital with her three children by her side.

Myrtle was born on November 20, 1929, to Alfred and Ester (Christensen) Hauge at Meadow, SD. She attended Hay Hill #2 Grade School near her family's farm. She later attended Lemmon High School and graduated in 1948.

After she completed high school, she married her high school sweetheart, Norbert Ham, on June 20, 1948. Norbert and Myrtle were blessed with three children: Alan Ham, Barb Auwerter, and Janice Haag. Myrtle and Norbert were fortunate to raise their family on their ranch in Shadehill, SD along the Grand River. Every now and then, Myrtle would try to sneak to town on a date with Norbert and go bowling or golfing. But Janice had other plans. She put up a fight and wanted her mother to stay home. Finally, Myrtle decided it was just easier to stay home and be with her pride and joys, her children.

Myrtle was the real ranch foreman of their place. She always made sure the coffee was on in the morning, an amazing meal was ready at dinner, when you would drive into the yard it looked like the cover of Country Living, and at the end of the day she would have a hug and a kiss ready for Norbert after a long day's work.

Myrtle's hobbies included gardening, canning, and baking bread. Her bread was the best around. She always made sure it was hot and ready when the kids came home from school. Once she had grandchildren, she would make sure there were always T rolls or caramel rolls to send home with them after a visit. Myrtle took pride in her home as well. She would set a beautiful table, manicure her lawn, keep her picture window sparkling, and be ready for a neighbor to stop by for coffee and cookies.

Myrtle's picture window was her window to happiness. She would watch for Norbert to coming riding in on his horse with a handful of beautiful crocuses that he tucked safely in his pocket to deliver to his beautiful wife with a proud grin on his face.  Through the window, she could see if Norbert needed help or had a smile of a job well done. She would watch for her grandchildren to come back to the house needing a little reassurance that they were great help on the ranch. Her picture window was her guide to when to have dinner ready or start the pot of coffee because someone was stopping by to visit. Myrtle's picture window brought her joy and happiness for many years on the ranch.

Myrtle was an amazing wife, grandma, and great grandma. She would do anything for any of her family members. Offer them a bite size Snickers after a hard day's work, a little cash to buy a treat at the store, or that wonderful hug and kiss you could not resist.

Every Sunday she would attend church from Calvary Lutheran in Lemmon to Piedmont Valley Church later in life. The church and their congregations were especially important to Myrtle. She was known by many and enjoyed her visits over a cup of coffee following worship.

Myrtle Ham was grateful for having shared her life with her children, Alan Ham, Piedmont, Barbara (Ronnie) Auwerter, Rapid City, Janice (Rodney) Haag, Sioux Falls; her grandchildren, Jennifer (Chris) Kainz, Brandi (Steven) Brassfield, Brady (Kristen) Ham, Beau (Kristina) Peterson, Dusty (Elizabeth) Auwerter, Brandon (Cori) Haag, Riley (Rachel) Haag, and Ali (Brent) Baloun; 15 great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Leon Lowe; and sisters-in-law, Martina Ham, Marilyn Ham and Colleen Hauge.

Myrtle was proceeded in death by her parents; her husband, Norbert; brothers, Wendell, Elmer, and John Hauge; sisters, Bernice Lockert, Hazel Bartell, Irene Lowe, and Alice Lovelette.

A private family service will be held later due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Mother

She always leaned to watch for us

Anxious if we were late;

In winter by the window,

In summer by the gate.

And though we mocked her tenderly

Who has such foolish care;

The long way home would seem more safe

Because she waited there.

Her thoughts were all so full of us

She never could forget;

And so I think that where she is

She must be watching yet.

Waiting 'til we come home to her

Anxious if was are late-

Watching from Heaven's window

Leaning o'er Heaven's gate.

By Margaret Widdemer