Sylvia Helen (Hart) Clauser, 79, died on February 15, 2018, in Spearfish, South Dakota, after a long, courageous battle with cancer. She passed away at Tender Care Assisted Living, where she had been lovingly cared for by her sister Aileen Burr.

Sylvia was born on June 20, 1938, in McPherson County, near Aberdeen, South Dakota, to Joseph and Helen Hart. She was the eldest of nine children. Sylvia attended schools in Aberdeen and graduated from Lead High School. She worked in Human Resources for Homestake Mining Company for nearly 30 years and retired at age 59 to spend more time with her family and on her multiple hobbies. She enjoyed using her time and talents to enrich the lives of others. Sylvia was dependable and selfless, able to identify needs and respond accordingly.

Passionate about life, Sylvia always valued creativity and self-expression. She enjoyed swimming, diving, and roller and ice skating. She was a self-taught student of interior design and remodeled numerous local homes before the modern era of "flipping." Sylvia was an avid lover of art and acquired a sizable, eclectic collection. She also was a talented furniture upholsterer and seamstress and brought a joie de vivre into her fashion choices.

Sylvia is survived by her husband, William H. Clauser, her son, Michael and wife Marsha (children Jesse and Ellise), son, Jerome and wife Donna (children Kathryn, Julia, Lauren and Heidi), her sister, Aileen Burr, brothers, Leroy Hart and Wade Hart, multiple great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held Friday, February 23, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish with a luncheon to follow. In lieu of gifts or flowers, please consider donating to the Historic Homestake Opera House as a memorial for Sylvia has been established.

Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com