Myrle Marie Cummings, age 98, passed away peacefully on September 2, 2019. She was born on April 20, 1921 in Alexandria, SD.

Myrle graduated from Hansen County High School on the 18 ^th of May, 1939. She met her future husband, Les Cummings, and they were married on December 10, 1941, three days after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, in Hawaii. Because of World II, Myrle lived in Detroit during the war and was separated from Les for 3 ½ years. After the war, Myrle and Les moved back to Mitchell, SD, where they started and owned the Wayside Lunch Café.

When Les accepted a job with Standard Oil, Myrle and the three young boys, Dave, Gary and Ron, moved to Castlewood, SD. Soon after living in Castlewood, a fourth child, a daughter Lesa, was born into the family. Myrle was a stay at home mom, seamstress, homemaker, active in the Presbyterian Church and an avid pinochle player.

Myrle continued to be a stay at home mom until 1974, when she started working in the lunch program at the Castlewood Public School. At the age of 53, most people are starting to count the years to retirement. However, Myrle started a cooking and baking career that lasted for 21 years until she retired at the age of 74.

Besides the love of her family, her second love was working at the school and being around with students and the teaching staff. From owning a small diner, cooking for her family and her cooking career at the school, Myrle was known for her cooking skills, especially her pies. When Myrle retired, she often wondered why she didn't stay a little longer at the school. She missed the kids and the school environment.

After Myrle retired, she and Les loved their roll as Grandparents, traveling, and enjoying their life together.

Myrle is survived by her daughter-in-law, Lorayne Cummings of Anchorage, AK; son, Gary and his wife Linda, of Beresford, SD; son, Ron and his wife Theresa, of Billings, MT, and daughter, Lesa Dahl and her husband Jeff, of Castlewood, SD; 4 grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

Preceding Myrle in death were her husband, Les Cummings; parents, LG and mary LaDue; brothers, Wayne LaDue and Loren LaDue; sisters, Neva Leinemann and Viva Michaels; son, David Cummings; grandson, Jacob Dahl and granddaughter, Angela Daniel.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, September 7, 2019 at First Presbyterian Church, in Castlewood. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm Friday at the church in Castlewood. Geise Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.