Funeral services for Earleen Price, age 84, of Maurine, SD, will be held on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Prairie Home Church near Maurine, SD. Burial will follow at the Monument Hill Cemetery near Maurine, SD. Pastor Roger Monson and Pastor Harold Delbridge will officiate.

Earleen Elizabeth Schuelke was born August 21, 1932, the 10th child of Albert Stephan and Elizabeth Jane (Peregrine) Schuelke at Mud Butte, SD. The Schuelke family was a bustling lively bunch that included Earleen's 6 brothers, Bob, Everett, Darrell, Harold, Dean and Jerry and 6 sisters, Lola, Lois, Faye, McGee, Mamie, and Berma. Growing up on the family ranch near Mud Butte in the 1930s Earleen learned, at an early age, the value of hard work. The Schuelke kids were in charge of milking the cows and many chores around the house and ranch. She attended Eagle grade school until the death of her Dad in 1944. Soon after, her Mom moved the school age children to Sturgis where they attended school and Earleen worked at Maude's Studio and waitressed at a local café.

While working during the summer for her sister McGee, Earleen met the love of her life, Robert Price of Maurine. They married October 27, 1950 in Sturgis. Not only did she have Robert by her side she embraced his family as her own. Bobby and Earleen had 3 children: Garold Robert, Bobbie Charmagne and Valorie Kay.

As their children and grandchildren grew, Earleen and Bobby spent hours on benches and bleachers supporting each kid! Pitch, whist and cribbage were the evening card games with family and friends at home, at the neighbors or in town. All the kids and grandkids were taught to play and each tried their best to beat Grandma and Grandpa at their game.

Earleen was not only a homemaker but a storekeeper & ticket taker at Maurine, construction flagger, and waitress/bartender. She cleaned the church, school, and many houses. She worked alongside Bobby on the ranch tending to the sheep and cattle and driving the swather. She sewed for her family, made quilts, gardened and canned, and kept a beautiful yard. Earleen patched and mended, did upholstery and refinishing work. It's amazing to look back at the work ethics, the selflessness, the willingness to give a helping hand to those she knew and those she only met. She helped out many stranded travelers while living along highway 212. They may have only needed the phone, but she always offered a meal and sometimes a bed!

Earleen and Bobby had an endless love for each other and built their lives around their children, grandchildren and families. They loved visiting with neighbors and friends and held these relationships close to their hearts and will forever be on ours!

Earleen passed away on Thursday, August 25, 2016, at the Sturgis Hospital in Sturgis, SD.

Earleen is survived by one son Gary (Karen) Price of Maurine, SD; two daughters, Charmagne (Jim) Lightfield of Faith, SD and Valorie (Doug) Hlavka of Howes, SD. Eight grandchildren Todd (Shelly) Price, Brett (Ashly) Price, Trisha Price, Troy (Sarah) Lightfield, Travis (Crystal Emmons) Lightfield, Takayla (Jacob Shoop) Lightfield, Jade (Annie) Hlavka, and Leann Hlavka; 12 great-grandchildren Kinsey, Trevin, Teagan, RyLee, Roan, Braden, Megan, Samantha, Shae, Reina, Felix and Waylon; four sisters Lois McInerny, Faye (Tom) Hunn, McGee Vansickel and Mamie (Kenny) Mailloux; one brother, Jerry Schuelke; one brother-in-law John Padgett; and one sister-in-law, Lucille Humble.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elizabeth and Albert Schuelke; her husband Robert Price; five brothers, Bob, Everette, Darrell, Dean, and Harold; and two sisters Lola Duprel, and Berma Padgett.

A memorial has been established.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, August 30, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Faith Area Memorial Chapel in Faith, SD.