Molly Sweeter

Molly Sweeter, age 87, of Milbank,  passed away on October 23, 2023, in Milbank.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 30, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank. Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 29, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will continue at the church on Monday, one hour prior to the Mass. Burial will be at St. Lawrence Cemetery.

Casket bearers will be: Nolan Fischer, Matt Wellnitz, Fred Koch, Lee Dornbusch, Eddie Julius, and Cole Kelley. Honorary bearers will be her grandchildren.

Marlys “Molly” Lorraine Sweeter was born on May 14, 1936, in Milbank, SD. She was the daughter of Agnes (Wellnitz) and Raymond Schmitt. Molly grew up in the Milbank area, attending St. Lawrence Catholic Elementary School and Milbank High School until her sophomore year. She later completed her GED. Molly was a lifelong resident of Milbank except for the three years she resided in LaBolt, SD.

Molly was united in marriage with Wilfred “Red” Lundborg and to this union had four children: Jeffrey, Gail, Penny, and Thomas. She was united in marriage in 1961 with Fran A. Kockx and were blessed with a daughter, Julie, and two stepsons: Duane and James. Together, they raised their children. Fran passed away in 1983.

On September 23, 1988, she was united in marriage with Fred Sweeter. Molly gained a stepdaughter, Mary. She and Fred enjoyed their lake home, spending time gardening and fishing from their dock. Their strong faith was present every Saturday night at the 5:00 p.m. Mass, sitting in the 2^nd row. Fred passed away in 2017.

Molly had the service driven heart of a volunteer. She spent many years volunteering for Meals on Wheels, St. William’s Care Center, and St. Lawrence School. She served on the Grant County Election Board for over 50 years. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters and Pink Ladies. Molly was a dedicated mother and wife. Outside of the home, she drove a school bus and worked at the Grant County Auditor’s Office and Grant County Detention Center. She also worked at Great Plains Cable and Columbus Heights.

In her free time, Molly enjoyed bowling in her younger years, stitching Christmas stockings, crocheting potholders, rags, and towels, and feeding the neighborhood squirrels and birds. She could make wonderful desserts including cookies, pies, Kringle, and rice pudding. She loved playing cards with friends and family. Her grandson, Drake, noted that Grandma Molly always had a puzzle on her table to work on together. Passing down the family traditions of playing cards and baking special treats was important to her. She was also a Minnesota Twins and Timberwolves fan.

Molly’s Catholic faith was essential to her. She was a lifelong member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church and kept an ongoing prayer list. She always tried to make everyone feel special and loved.

Molly is survived by her daughters: Gail Kelley of Gering, NE; Penny (Ron) Mead of Milbank, SD; and Julie Bierschbach of Minot, ND; stepdaughter, Mary Sweeter of Sioux Falls, SD; bonus daughter, Jan Skorpik of Sioux Falls, SD; daughter-in-law, Paula Lundborg of Webster, SD; 15 grandchildren: Sheila Lange, Sharon Lundborg, Samantha Toney, Cara Stout, Cole Kelley, Fred Koch, Katie Schellberg, Wendy Nehring, Heidi Wellnitz, Heather Fischer, Molly Mantz, Abby Bierschbach, Bridget Bury, Brandy Paszek, and Lee Dornbusch; 34 great-grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; and several step-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Raymond and Agnes Schmitt; husband, Wilfred “Red” Lundborg; husband, Francis Kockx; husband, Fred Sweeter; sons: Jeff Lundborg and Thomas Lundborg; stepsons: Duane and James Kockx; brother, Jerome Schmitt; sister, Darlene “Dolly” Hoeke; and son-in-law, Greg Bierschbach.