Funeral services for Ingrid H. Gebhart, age 88, of Meadow, SD will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 24, 2012 at the Indian Creek Lutheran Church near Meadow, SD. Rev. Bob Edwards will officiate with burial in the Chance Cemetery.
Special music will be provided by Carol Nelson, organist.


Ingrid Hjordis (Flatmoe) Gebhart was born July 12, 1924 to Christopher and Petra (Kornstad) Flatmoe at Skage in Namdalen, Norway. Ingrid was baptized that same year at Overhalla Church in Skage. On June 15, 1941 Ingrid was confirmed at Indian Creek Church at Chance, SD.
In May of 1929, with the encouragement of Petra's family, who were already in America, Christopher and Petra Flatmoe and their 4 children Hanna, Ingrid, Clara and Iver sailed for America aboard the Slavangersfjord. One of Ingrid's memories of the voyage was her dad holding Iver up by the railings and being scared that he might drop him overboard. After 9 days on the boat the family arrived at Ellis Island on May 25, 1929. They boarded a train and continued to Lemmon, SD where they were met by Petra's mother, Karin Gustofson, and her brother Knute Kornstad. From there the family rode in a 1927 Whippit car to her Grandparent's farm near Coal Springs, SD. This was the family's first car ride.


Ingrid started school in the fall of 1930 at Coal Springs, she could not speak a word of English at the time. Her teacher was Leone McMahon, who became a life-long friend. Ingrid and Hanna would sit around the kitchen table in the evening and teach English to their parents. Ingrid and Hanna finished grade school in 1938 and started at Meadow Central High School the next fall. The fall of 1940 they continued their education at Lemmon High School, graduating with the Class of 1942.


On December 25, 1943 Ingrid was united in marriage to Arnold Gebhart. They began their life together on a farm 7 miles northeast of Glad Valley. To this union 6 children were born. In 1965 they purchased her parents' place and moved back to the Coal Springs area. According to Ingrid her greatest accomplishment in life was being a mother to her 6 children. She was very proud of her family.


She was a long time member of Indian Creek Lutheran Church. She was very active in the lady's aide. She was known for her lefse at the Fall Dinners. She served many pies and rolls at the Faith Sale barn. Long hours were spent quilting for the church.


Gardening was especially enjoyable for Ingrid. She truly loved nurturing her various vegetable and flower gardens. She will always be remembered for her beautiful flower gardens. She was an exceptionally good cook, one of the best! To quote a neighbor, "She could make anything taste good." There was always enough food for everyone who stopped at meal time and nobody ever left her table hungry. Her children and grandchildren will never forget her Norwegian goodies, raisin cookies, and especially her delicious caramel rolls.


In September of 2007 she moved into the Five Counties Nursing Home in Lemmon. Over the next five years the staff became part of her family. She remained there until her passing, Nov.17, 2012 with her family at her side.


Hard work and honesty were traits passed on to Ingrid from her parents. She was a respected member of her community. Ingrid was ready with a helping hand whenever it was needed. Her faith and beliefs set an admiral example for others. Her children, grandchildren and great –grandchildren have wonderful memories of this remarkable lady. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.




Grateful for sharing her life are her two sons and daughters-in-law, Mike and Jane Gebhart, Meadow, SD and Keith and Debbie Gebhart, Gillette, WY; four daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and John Wilkens, Maple Grove, MN, Leanne and Ken Loeschke, Rapid City, SD, Lenai and Larry Lauriston, Birmingham, AL and Virginia and Kirk Milles, Rockford, WA; 16 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; two brothers and three sisters-in-law, Harold and Lillian Flatmoe, Meadow, SD and Ken and Charlotte Flatmoe, Sturgis, SD, Helen Flatmoe, Rapid City, SD; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Hanna and George Allen Iverson, Murdo, SD and Clara Duncan, Mobridge, SD; and numerous nieces and nephews.


Ingrid was preceded in death by her parents, Chris and Petra; one brother, Iver; one grandson, Ryan Scott; her niece, Carol Flatmoe; her great- niece, Carrie Beth Flatmoe; and life-long friend Leone McMahon.


Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 23, 2012 followed by a family service at 7:00 p.m. all at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon.


In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established.