Marian Burtz, 91, of Winner, SD passed away on Friday, November 29, 2019 at Winner Regional Long-Term Care.   Funeral service will be held at the First Baptist Church in Winner, SD on Wednesday December 4th ,2019 at 10:30 am.  Burial will follow in the Winner City Cemetery.  A visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at the First Baptist Church in Winner from 6-7 pm, with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 pm.

Marian Ruth (Best) Burtz was born February 23, 1928 to Lloyd and Minnie (Horstman) Best at their home across the Tripp County line in Mellette County.  Her sister, Dorothy joined the family 22 months later.  She lived a full life before she was called to her heavenly home on November 29th, 2019.

Marian attended grade school and high school at Witten, SD, graduating in 1946 from Witten High School.  On September 14, 1946, she married the love of her life, H. Earl Burtz. They were married at the Baptist parsonage in Witten, SD with Rev. Curtis Gatson officiating. To this union 3 children were born, Allen, Linda, and Malon. They shared everything for 57 years until Earl was called home to be with his Lord in March 2003.

Marian was a caring, nurturing person always putting other people and their needs first.  Her home was always open to family and friends.  There were very few years that she and Earl were alone in their home.  From extended family, to high school students who stayed with them during the week, there were always extra people in their home whom she welcomed.  She found great joy in being a good hostess.

For several years, Earl and Marian owned and operated a dairy farm just west of Winner.  People asked to buy farm fresh whole milk and so began many years of her selling milk right from the bulk tank in the barn into containers that they brought.  Cars lined up, sometimes 10 deep waiting for their turn to buy gallons of milk.  To this day, many fondly remember Marian as "The milk lady".

Marian had a passion for growing iris, violets, and a big garden.  She spent hours canning her produce from the garden and sharing with others. When she was first married, she had very little cooking experience, but as time went on, she became an excellent cook and fed many people throughout the years.

Marian lived her entire life in the Witten and Winner communities.  She moved into Winner Regional Long-Term Care in December of 2016 after a fall in her home.  She enjoyed all the people whom she met while living there and always appreciated everything that was done for her.  She spent numerous hours cutting clippings from the newspaper and then pasting them in scrapbooks. Her faith and her family were what she valued the most.

Marian is survived by her 3 children: Allen, Linda (Neil) Schroeder, and Malon (Alona) all of Winner, SD.  Also, 9 grandchildren: Justin (Julie) Burtz, Nathan Burtz, Emily (Noe) Hernandez, Brad (Susie) Schroeder, Kimberly (Ross) DeMers, Jeremy (Rhonda) Schroeder, Bruce, (Kira) Schroeder, Dan (Angie) Burtz, and Heather (Justin) Heying; 20 great-grandchildren, 4 step great-grandchildren, and 4 step great-great grandchildren.

Preceding Marian in death were her parents, Lloyd and Minnie Best, Her husband of 57 years, Earl, her sister Dorothy Still, and her daughter-in-law Pam Burtz.