Glenda Carlson, age 73, of Kadoka, South Dakota, died on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.
A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, May 20, 2024 at the City Auditorium in Kadoka.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at the City Auditorium in Kadoka with Pastor Gus Craven officiating.
Private family interment will be held at the Livermont Family Cemetery.
Glenda Coleen Carlson was born into this world February 21, 1951, the third of ten children born to Lillian (Erickson) and Leonard Carlson in Kadoka South Dakota. Glenda loved all animals, especially horses. She enjoyed being outside, doing chores, riding horses, and taking care of her siblings. Glenda and her younger sister, Marlene, were especially close and inseparable as they were only 13 months apart. Glenda experienced hardship at the young age of 4 while cutting string to make a bridle for her toy horse. She accidentally poked herself in the left eye with the knife, leaving her blind in that eye. She kept it covered with a patch and always had a hand covering it after the patch was removed. When something required Glenda to use both of her hands her sister Marlene would cover her eye for her. Glenda attended grade school at South Creek School where many good times were had. If the weather permitted, they would ride horseback to school. She especially loved her horses Bubbles, Little Red, Spider, and Dixie. Glenda attended high school in Kadoka and graduated in 1969.
Glenda married Mike Livermont on November 15, 1968. To this union four children were born: Charlotte Jo, Michael, Oliver, and Emmylu. Glenda loved caring for people! She worked at the Kadoka Nursing Home and babysat children for people around Kadoka. In 1982 Glenda, Mike, and their family moved south of Belvidere to the former Oliver Rooks Ranch. Glenda loved ranching, cooking, and taking care of her children. Glenda was the best mother anyone could ask for and there was nothing she wouldn’t do for her family. She loved branding, picking fruit, and riding her heart horse, Princess. Glenda also had two special dogs, Sheba and Royalty, who never left her side. Being a rancher was a lot of fun for her, and she helped on many other ranches. Glenda cared for all the children and many still call her mom.
On November 20, 2003, Glenda was in a tragic car accident that left her quadriplegic. This was very hard on all of us, especially mom, but you would have never known as she kept her positive attitude and loving heart right till the very end. Following the accident Glenda stayed with her great friends Karmell Sharp and Brad Cvach. She then moved to a trailer house in Kadoka beside her mother, Lilian Carlson. At this time her son Michael cared for her along with many grandchildren. After mom got hurt, we all promised her she would never have to go to a care center or senior living facility, and we kept that promise. In 2019 she started staying with her daughter Charlotte Jo and husband Tristan. Keeping active and involved in activities was so important to her. Glenda loved cruising around town in her chair and would spend countless hours outside, even going along with us as we rode horses around town. She also loved rock hunting, rodeos and going for drives in her van. Glenda’s children, grandchildren, family, and friends meant everything to her.
Mom, you are so deeply loved, and you will be truly missed by everyone who knew you.
Survivors include five children: Charlotte Jo (Tristan) Donnellon of Kadoka, Michael Livermont of Kadoka, Oliver (Janelle) Livermont of Colorado, Emmylu Hill of Belvidere, Rozen Hill (White River) and Kenneth (Tara) Raymond of Rapid City; 16 grandchildren: Lane (Joanna), Brady (Terri), and Lilly; Brikya (Tarrell), Shelby (Rikus), Michael Jr., and Austin; Tyson (Kiara), Taten, Treston, Traven, Treldon, and Tinzen; Oliver, Jr., Nova, and Scarlett; 13 great-grandchildren: Avenue, Ziyah, Lanee, Tawnee, and Reuben; Kachlyn, Samora, Jaden, Azaraeah, Zariah, Taniah, Dixi and Stockton; brothers Larry (Robin) Carlson of Pierre, Charlie Carlson of Kadoka, and Mark (Tammy) Carlson of Kadoka; two sisters Lavonne Carlson of Kadoka and Lesa (Sid) Addison of Belvidere; and a host of other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents Leonard and Lillian Carlson; brothers: Lenus, Lonny, and James Carlson; and sister Marlene Perault.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Kadoka Rodeo Association. Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 436 Kadoka, SD 57543.
Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Kadoka.
