Florence Papka, 98, passed away July 2, 2016 at Sturgis Regional Senior Care. Florence Anna Peck was born in rural Perkins County, east of Strool on August 7, 1917, along with her twin brother Floyd. She was the eighth child born to Fred and Anna Peck. She grew up in Perkins County and attended country schools through the eighth grade. She stayed at home and helped her parents until the day before her twenty-first birthday when she married Leland Papka in Bison, SD. They moved around a lot, working for various ranchers in the Reva and Prairie City area. During this time they were blessed with four kids – Orval, Patsy, Ruben, and Dean. In the late 40's they bought their own place west of Prairie City. They raised a few cattle and sheep and always had milk-cows and chickens. The cream and eggs pretty much bought the groceries. Dad also did some farming. Mom was a good cook and always raised a big garden.

They moved to Deadwood in 1955 due to drought, and dad worked in the Homestake Gold Mine in Lead. They missed the farm, and in 1957 they moved back. Five years later, it was back to Deadwood, but dad worked in a lumber yard this time. Mom was never one to be idle so she got a job cleaning at the hospital and at some cabins. On the side she did baby-sitting and later took in foster children. There were many sad days when the little ones had to leave. She sewed a lot and made many beautiful quilts.

In the early 80's they move to Spearfish, where dad passed away in 1985. To keep busy mom did a lot of volunteer work, some of which was as a school-crossing guard, and she always helped plant flowers in the city flower bed.

Family has always been important to her, and she loved planning and hosting family gatherings, especially picnics. At home it was a highlight of her day when someone stopped by for coffee, lunch and possibly a game of cards. In 2009, she was having some health issues and ended up in the hospital. From there she moved to Burr's Tender Care Assisted Living in Spearfish. She still welcomed company and would get out her coffee pot and cookie stash. In the dining room she looked for every opportunity to help someone with their bib or chair. She also folded bibs after they were washed. The last few years she resumed her embroidering and did a beautiful job. Her health began to fail the last few months and she was moved to the nursing home in Sturgis on June 3rd.

She is survived by two sons, Ruben (Cindy) of Black Hawk, SD and Dean (Carol) of Dahlonega, Georgia; one daughter, Patsy Wilkinson of Prairie City, SD; nine grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson; several nieces and nephews, and many special friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband Leland, one son Orval, one daughter-in-law Mary Papka, one son-in-law Stanley Wilkinson, six brothers - Henry, Edward, Murel, Ellis, Floyd, and Ray and their wives, three sisters - Sarah Galligher, Alice Steuer, and Elsie Griffin, and one granddaughter Tammy Eberhard.

She was a loving person and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

A memorial service will be at 10:30 A.M. on July 6, 2016 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish. Inurnment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery with her husband, son, and daughter-in-law. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to Hospice of the Northern Hills or Sturgis Regional Senior Care - Berry Unit.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com