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Submitted: 8/5/24 • Approved: 8/13/24 • Last Updated: 8/16/24 • R276085-G276084-S3
Abigail "Gail" E. McFarland
January 25, 1955 - March 19, 2022
Abigail “Gail” E. McFarland, 67, passed away Saturday, March 19, 2022, at her home in Sioux Falls following a lengthy illness. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 25, 2022, at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory, Sioux Falls. Visitation with family present will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 24, 2022, also at the funeral home.
Gail was born on January 25, 1955 in Webster, SD to Arnold and Elvira Janisch. She attended elementary school in a one-room schoolhouse, where her mother taught, and at Sacred Heart Elementary in Eden, SD. The family later moved to Lebanon, SD and Gail graduated from Gettysburg High School in 1973. She then attended Northern State University where she met John McFarland. Gail and John married on October 25, 1975 in Aberdeen. They settled in Mitchell, SD where John worked at McFarland Supply, a family-owned business. Gail attended Dakota Wesleyan University, graduating in 1978 with a degree in business. During college, she enjoyed working at Country Peddlers, a local women's store. Upon graduation she worked at Commercial Bank and Trust, eventually becoming marketing officer. Gail's three children were born during their time in Mitchell and Gail made many dear friendships she treasured throughout her life. She and her friends also started playing golf. Gail truly came to love the game and she and John spent many wonderful days together on the links. While in Mitchell she also became involved in several civic activities and served on the boards of the Mitchell Chamber of Commerce and the Oscar Howe Art Center, of which she was also president.
In 1991, John's business took the family to Sioux Falls where he and his brother had opened a new branch. Gail quickly made many new friends for bowling, bunco, and, of course, golf. While she was proud to occasionally win her golf league's championship, she was happiest about the two holes-in-one that she could lord over John who, sadly, had none. While she would gladly play a nine-hole round, she likened that to bowling five frames. Her preference was a proper eighteen hole round, as she believed the golf gods intended the game be enjoyed.
Gail was a voracious reader and made weekly trips to the Siouxland Library, where her request list grew to be several months long. Of course, her greatest joys and proudest achievements were her three children, and she was always involved in some school or drumline event or fundraiser. She was a truly exceptional mother and her kids were raised with the benefit of her sharp wit and ever-direct style. She excelled as a grandmother as well, showing love, adoration, and humor to her two granddaughters. Gail was a first-rate cook and baker. Every meal she started preparing included her saying “I don't know how this will turn out...” but it always turned out great. In the past few years, as her illness progressed, the family was grateful they could often be together with her, including memorable trips to Arizona, Northern Minnesota, and Costa Rica. Gail was the loving, balancing force in the family and will be missed beyond measure.
Forever grateful for the years of Gail's life that they could share with her are her husband, John McFarland, Sioux Falls; daughter, Megan (Seth) Oeltjenbruns, Colorado Springs, CO; sons, Jack McFarland, Minneapolis, MN and Michael (fiancee Robyn Moore) McFarland, San Francisco, CA; granddaughters, Layla and Kate Oeltjenbruns; brothers, Wayne Janisch, Emerald Hills, CA and Gary (Janet) Janisch, Omaha, NE; sisters, Marilyn (Don) Ashby, Redwood City, CA and Joyce Hain, Fremont, NE; and brother-in-law, Craig (Audrey) McFarland, Aberdeen, SD.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father; her infant sister, Gina Marie; her mother-in-law, Kay McFarland; and her father-in-law, John "Mac” McFarland.
Contributed on 8/5/24 by 9kat
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Record #: 276085