Lyla Harriet Saretske's Obituary
Lyla Saretske was born in Wildrose, North Dakota on April 3, 1917 and passed away peacefully nearly 98 years later on March 12, 2015 in Tacoma, Washington. In Wildrose, North Dakota, she attended rural grade school, and also attended Wildrose High School. She graduated from High School in Missoula, Montana. Lyla attended Virginia Junior College in Virginia, Minnesota, majoring in music and voice. She also attended Minot State Teachers College in Minot, North Dakota, receiving her teaching certificate. It was at Minot State (now Minot State University) that she met her future husband, Alvin Saretske of Driscoll, North Dakota. The two were married in 1943 at Wildrose. After Alvin returned from serving in World War II in Europe, the two settled in Tacoma, Wa. It was in Tacoma at Pacific Lutheran University that Lyla completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education.
Lyla taught school in North Dakota at New Leipzig, Alamo and Wildrose. In Washington, Lyla taught at the Tacoma Public Schools including working with kindergarten exceptional children at Seward elementary. She taught for a total of 30 years.
Lyla was preceded in death by her parents Sam and Ellen Burtman; her husband of nearly 49 years Alvin Saretske; infant twin daughters; sister Hazel (Selmer) Salveson; sister Adeline (Emeroy) Johnson; brother Olney (Blanche) Burtman; by Alvin’s parents Alex and Louise (Lauf) Saretske; and by sister-in-law Martha Saretske.
Lyla is survived by sons Stanley and Loran Saretske; sister-in-law Alice Moore; neice Alice (Mitzie) Moore; neice Beatrine Salveson; nephews Jack (Karen) Moore; Jim (Jill) Burtman; Donald (Glenda) Burtman; David (Ardella) Burtman; and Jerald Burtman.
Lyla was active in Tacoma’s First Lutheran Church; Church Women United, the Retired Teachers Association and TEAM – Tacoma’s East Action Membership. Lyla also used her musical abilities in schools, churches and communities. Lyla gives thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His mercies endure forever.
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