Mable Eunice (Ingalls) Stomprud

Mable Eunice (Ingalls) Stomprud, of Sturgis, formerly of Mud Butte, was born on September 4, 1928 at Faith, SD and died December 18, 2020 at Monument Health Senior Care in Sturgis, SD.

Mable was the firstborn child of Lawrence and Marie (Vig) Ingalls and was followed by two brothers and two sisters, residing on the family ranch located east of Opal, SD. Following her mother’s untimely death in 1939, Mable was elevated to the woman of the house at the age of 11 and assisted her dad with household duties and in raising her younger siblings. She attended Royal Center School, which was about 1 ¼ miles north of her home, along with several brothers, sisters, and cousins. Upon graduation from eighth grade, she attended Sturgis High School, staying with her Grandma Malina Vig during the school year.

At about 15 ½ years old, she caught the eye of a handsome young neighbor lad, Calvin Stomprud, who was seven years her senior and attended South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. With one quarter left until graduation, Calvin was drafted into the U.S. Navy, joining other members of the Great Generation, serving from 1944-1945. He sailed to Japan following V-J Day, returning troops from occupied Japan. Mable graduated from Sturgis High School in 1946. She spent one year as the “schoolmarm” at Royal Center School, teaching, among others, a younger brother, sister, and cousins. Letters to each other during this time indicate they were smitten with each other and after his discharge, he returned to the family ranch and they were married on June 15, 1947. Larry came along in August of 1948, just in time for the Blizzard of ’49. Mable and Larry were stranded at a home west of Stoneville for two weeks while Calvin made his way back to the ranch. Elaine followed in 1950, Verne in 1952, Gay in 1953, and then “the baby”, Sharon, in 1958. In 1995, Calvin and Mable turned over operation of the ranch to Larry and Eileen, who returned to the ranch having retired from the Army. Calvin and Mable made the ranch their home for more than seventy years. They purchased a “town” home in Sturgis in 2008, and split their time between there and the ranch, but even when health limited their ability to live at the ranch, they longed to return to the “Ranch” every chance they could. They entered the Regional Health Senior Care in Sturgis together in February of 2018, and remained the loving couple together there until Calvin’s death on May 8, 2018.

It's difficult to differentiate Calvin and Mable’s life pursuits because they did nearly everything together and made each other’s interests their own. They loved traveling, visiting Germany and Switzerland, Hawaii twice, Alaska, and several trips to all directions of the U.S., often with Neal and Elaine Rowett. They made sure they frequently visited their kids and grandkids wherever they happened to be living at the time. Mable and Calvin especially enjoyed auctions, flea markets, and antique stores, looking for the next “real deal”. One of their particularly fond memories was a float trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River with members of their immediate and extended families.

Mable was an active member of the Meade County Farm Bureau, Fox Ridge Community Club, Extension Club, and helped establish and was leader of the Happy Homemakers 4-H Club. She enjoyed sewing and taught her daughters and other girls of the community the craft. Family genealogy and history became a passion and she loved reunions, especially family reunions. She played piano and taught her daughters in the art. She and Calvin instilled the love of music to their children and the generations that followed.

Mable was a faithful member of either Prairie Home Church or Opal Community Church, served as a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, was the primary pianist for decades, and was Treasurer for many years. Her faith was an important part of her life and she served as beautiful example to her family and the community.

Survivors include son, Larry (Eileen), Mud Butte; daughters, Elaine (Alfred) Bell, Cleveland GA, Gay (Ron) Lund, Columbus, NE, and Sharon (Paul) Tracy, Garden Valley, ID; grandchildren, Lisa (Tony) Stomprud, Jay (Jennifer) Stomprud, Brian (Shannon) Bell, Tamara (Eric) Hybertson, Jennifer Lund, Ryan (Lindsay) Lund, Melodie (Brandon) Buss, Anthony (Jess) Tracy, William Tracy, Nathan Tracy, and Jason Tracy; 13 great-grandchildren; brother, Hugh (Eleanor) Ingalls; sisters, Elaine (Neal) Rowett, and Virginia Brandt; sister-in-law, Marie Ingalls; and numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Marie Ingalls; stepmother, Anne (Mikidick/Mildrew) Ingalls; husband, Calvin; son, Verne; brother, Dale Ingalls; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Chester (Rose and Opal) Stomprud, Lyle and Elanor Pearson, and Mike Brandt; and six nieces and nephews. 

Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 3, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Private committal services will be held on Monday, January 4, 2021 at Black Hills National Cemetery with Pastor Denzel Nonhoff officiating.

Memorials have been established to the Opal Community Church and Bright Focus Foundation.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefun erals.com.