Pierre, SD – Idella Delores Hart was born on July 4, 1936, in Mound City, South Dakota, to Rueben and Alma (Heiser) Heinrich. She grew up in Ipswich, where she enjoyed spending time with her siblings and her aunts, Elsie and Irene, who were more like sisters to her. As a young girl, she worked at a restaurant in Ipswich and occasionally worked with her brothers, Don, Lester, and Rick at the movie theater taking tickets and making popcorn. It was in Ipswich while driving around with friends that she first met Gib, who was working road construction at that time.

Soon after in 1953, Gib was drafted into the Army where he served for two years. During that time she moved to her grandparents’ home in Eureka and worked at the local drug store. They remained in contact by sending letters back and forth (about a suitcase full) until he was released in 1955. After Gib’s return from service, they were married on January 8, 1956, in Ipswich. Upon getting married, they had many adventures as Gib continued to work road construction throughout multiple towns across South Dakota. In the early 1960’s, they moved to Pierre where Idella began to work for Fischer Brothers and later for Miller Studio.

On March 4, 1966, they had their daughter, Shan O’Lea. Soon after Gib helped start the auction business where Idella clerked and cashiered for many years. In 1974 they moved to their home in Dell Acres. Although Idella wasn’t a country girl, she enjoyed spending time with the horses and her cocker spaniel, Susie, as well as going with Shan to her rodeos and other 4-H activities. She also worked at The Little World before starting her well-known career in the jewelry department at JCPenney in the 1980’s. She had many fond memories working at JCPenney and made life-long friendships there.

She retired from JCPenney in the late 1990’s before she began her favorite career, which was taking care of her grandkids. On October 4, 2001, her first grandchild, Trey, was born. Two years later on June 26, 2003, her second grandchild, Taylee, was born. Trey and Taylee practically lived at her house as she watched over them five days a week for many years, as well as her cocker spaniel, Bailey (Punjab). She shuttled her grandkids to pre-school, swimming lessons, and all their activities, usually stopping at Zestos or The Donut Shop on the way home. There were many arts and crafts projects done in her kitchen and patio. Most often in the afternoons, she would make them chocolate malts with her old-fashioned malt maker.

Idella always loved going shopping with Taylee (mostly at JCPenney), while Trey always found a project or two with Gib out in the sheds. No matter what everyone was doing, there were always laughs and never a bad day. As her grandkids grew older, she remained a huge part of their lives. She traveled to their sporting events, band concerts, fire department events, and spent many hot summer days at rodeos. No matter what her grandkids did, she always supported them and was always there.

When her grandkids graduated high school and went to college, Idella was still a constant in their lives, always checking up on them and making sure they were staying out of trouble. Taylee would stop by with a cooler full of SDSU ice cream, and Trey would give them a call saying he needed to be picked up from the airport when he flew home. Idella loved having them come home and usually sent them back to school with a pan of brownies or pumpkin bars.

On top of caring for her grandkids, she also was an avid member of the First Baptist Church. She especially loved helping with Kids Rock. She loved to travel with Gib, but also loved her time spent at home knitting, crocheting, baking, reading, playing Solitaire, and in her garden. Whatever she was doing, her beloved cocker spaniel Josi (Poco) was always right beside her.

Idella is survived by her husband, Gilbert; daughter and son-in-law, Shan and Trent Stroup; grandchildren, Trey and Taylee Stroup; her siblings, Don (Sylvia) Heinrich, Rick (Marge) Heinrich, and Marcy Rebensdorf; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rueben and Alma; and brother Lester Heinrich.

Feigum Funeral Home has been entrusted with Idella’s arrangements. View feigumfh.com for details.

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