Myrtle Laura Duffy (nee Schreier), age 92, passed away on June 28, 2016 at home, in the company of her children. Myrtle was born on May 14, 1924 in Dell Rapids, South Dakota.
Beginning life a shy farm girl, she met her life’s challenges with courage and tenacity and hard work. Her marriage was a love match that ended too soon with the death of her husband Charles after only 38 years.
Driven by faith and compassion, she dedicated herself to good works of all kinds. First out of necessity and then out of a need to create and to give, Myrtle made sweaters with complex designs, sewed garments of all kinds (including wedding dresses and tailored jackets), prepared entire banquets, baked dozens and dozens of Christmas cookies, pies and rolls, and of course, constructed the quilts. Her enthusiasm overtook her shyness as she led friends in traveling expeditions and organized the St. John’s quilting group. She took pride in being Irish, and derived great joy from holding babies and picking berries. Myrtle was fierce in the face of injustice and unbowed by adversity.
Preceded in death by infant son, husband Charles, grandson Christopher Mattis, and great-grandson Zayden Mattis. Survived by children and their spouses: Donna and Alan Mattis, Barbara (Duffy) and Robert Borchert and Kevin and Colleen Duffy; 11 grandchildren, Lori (Tom) Mattis Stevens, Mollie Mattis, Katie (Casey) Sarver, Scott (Anne) Mattis, Rebecca Mattis, Tim (Sabrina) Mattis, Mara (Chris) Meyer, John Borchert, Laura (Erik Peter) Walker, Charles (Cole) Borchert, and Willson (Stephanie) Borchert; 11 great-grandchildren, Benjamin Stevens, Christopher Adams, Adeline Mattis, Amelia Mattis, Ruby Mattis, Mila Sarver, Luca Sarver, Krystal Mattis, Viola Walker, Solen Walker, and Tycho Borchert; brother and spouse, Jerry and Clara Schreier and many beloved nieces and nephews.
On-line condolences may be left at Holcomb-Henry-Boom-Purcell Funeral Home.