History
OVER 100 YEARS OF COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION
In 1881 Mr. and Mrs. Edward Tobin conveyed some property to Bishop Martin Marty for the establishment of a Catholic Cemetery in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The cemetery was named after the single parish in the city at that time – St. Michael Church. St. Michael Church eventually was to become St. Joseph, but the cemetery retained its early designation as St. Michael Cemetery.
From 1881 through 1978 the cemetery was witness to various types of management with the Catholic Chancery office, parishioners of the many churches and area funeral directors playing important roles.
In 1978 Bishop Paul Dudley initiated a movement to turn the management of the cemetery over to the five Catholic Churches in the area. Since that time the five participating churches have expanded to eight; the cemetery has increased in size to forty acres; a new shop and office building has been built – all to further efficiency in the management of St. Michael Cemetery.
Improvements are constantly being made to enhance the beauty and serenity at St. Michael Cemetery. The Perpetual Care Fund is our assurance these programs will continue forever.
With the inception of Bishop Dudley’s plan in 1978 St. Michael Cemetery has been managed by a board of volunteers from each church in the area. In addition to the two parishioners from each of the eight churches one parish priest serves as the Bishop’s representative. Parishioners on the board are appointed by the pastor of each church in the area.
CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE BOARD ARE:
Bishop’s Representative
Deacon Roger Heidt
Christ the King
Larry Ritz & Ruth Vickers
Holy Spirit
Linda Barck & Gregg Ruff
Our Lady of Guadalupe
St. Joseph Cathedral
St. Katharine Drexel
Paul Johnson
St. Lambert
Russ Grady & Tom Schnetter
St. Mary
Jerry Wempe
Suzy Schrier
St. Michael
Scott Gibson & Jon Schulte
St. Therese
Bernard DeWald & William Peters
St. Josephine Bakhita