Edith Jarding Obituary

Edith Lor-Rae Jarding, 93, of Sioux Falls and formerly of Humboldt, SD passed away on Monday, February 23, 2026 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Memorial Mass will begin at 10:30 am on Monday, March 2, 2026 at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Humboldt, SD. To view a livestream of Edith's service, click on the following link - https://www.facebook.com/112854343696503/live_videos/ Visitation will be from 5-7 pm with a 7 pm prayer service on Sunday, March 1, 2026 also at the church.

Edith was born on January 1, 1933 at McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD to Henry and Agnes (Weiland) Beck. She was the fifth child of the seven children in the family. Edith was always proud of her middle name, Lor-Rae, named after her Godfather, Ray.

She graduated from Humboldt High School in 1950. She was united in marriage to James J. Jarding on September 22, 1953 at St. Joseph Wellington Church. They lived on a farm south of Humboldt until 1963 when Jim became the rural mail carrier in Humboldt.

Edith stayed busy raising the family of seven children as a stay-at-home mom. Once Connie, their second daughter, who was born with Cerebral Palsy was able to attend special schools in Sioux Falls, Edith would take her to school and then cleaned houses while Connie was in school. Connie was able to move to a group home at the age of 18 so Edith became the secretary for Jarding Construction in Humboldt. After retiring from the secretary's job, she began helping as a lunch aide at the West Central School in Humboldt. She enjoyed seeing the kids daily and visiting with them.

Edith was a gifted seamstress and loved to garden. She was a fantastic cook and baker and loved to share recipes if you needed one. She was very dedicated to her Catholic faith. Altar Society, Legion Auxiliary and several other groups kept her busy.

She is survived by: her children, Charles (Paula) Jarding of Humboldt, Cynthia (Wayne) Mergen of Dell Rapids, John (Jackie) Jarding of Humboldt, Donna (Jim) Schenkel of Brandon and Bob (Brenda) Jarding of Sioux Falls; daughter-in-law, Margaret Jarding of Sioux Falls; 20 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; brother, Charlie (Donna) Beck and sister-in-law, DeAnna Minnaert.

Edith is preceded in death by: husband, Jim; children, James A., Connie and infant son, Gerald; parents, Henry and Agnes Beck, brothers, Roy, Marvin and Henry and sisters, Helen Dargen and Margaret O'Hara. She was the last of the Jarding siblings and spouses.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in James and Edith's memory through the Catholic Community Foundation of Eastern South Dakota where gifts will support the causes closest to their heart.