Ardella M. Gassman, age 98 of Mitchell, SD died Friday, February 28, 2025 at Avera Brady Heath and Rehab. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Friday, March 7, 2025 at Holy Family Catholic Church with burial at Servicemen's Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Thursday, March 6, 2025 at Holy Family Catholic Church with a prayer service beginning at 6:30 PM.

Ardella Mary (Klinkhammer) Gassman was born at home on a farm ½ mile west of Epiphany, SD on June 8, 1926, to Frank and Anna (Eich) Klinkhammer. Ardella was the third of five children. She grew up on the Eich family farm which her grandfather homesteaded when he came from Germany.  She attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Epiphany. She was not fond of school but excelled in spelling. After graduating from the 8th grade, she worked various jobs in the area before gaining employment in Mitchell.

On June 1, 1948, she married Bernard Gassman. They made their home on the Gassman family farm 5 miles west of Canova.  To this union 11 children were born: David (Ronda) Gassman, Vicki (Robert) Barthold, Tom (Glenda) Gassman, Julie (Larry) Calmus, Reggie (Marietta) Gassman, Mike (Denise) Gassman, Kurt (Dory) Gassman, Dennis (Kim) Gassman, Lea (Doug) Miller, Lynn (John) Herber, and Kelly (Corey) Miller.

Ardella was a member of the Holy Three Kings Catholic Church in Epiphany and Holy Family Parish in Mitchell where she served on the Altar Society in both parishes.  She enjoyed sewing, gardening, raising chickens, and couponing.  She had a passion for baseball attending Bernard's baseball games followed by many years of cheering on her children and grandchildren.  Her TV was either tuned to EWTN Catholic Channel or Minnesota Twins Baseball.

Family was everything to Ardella.  She prayed the Rosary daily for her 11 children, 45 grandchildren, 61 great-grandchildren and all spouses.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bernard, daughter Vicki, two infant grandchildren Dustin Gassman and Elizabeth Miller, brothers Walt and George, sisters Cleopha (died in infancy) and Delores Kampshoff, a granddaughter in-law Jaimie Calmus.