Malie Quade,

Amalia “Malie” Quade, age 91, of rural Corona, SD, peacefully passed away on January 7, 2024, at Wilmot Care Center.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank. Padre David Garza will celebrate the Mass. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday, January 19, beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a prayer vigil at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday, one hour prior to the Mass. Burial will be in Milbank City Cemetery.

Amalia Jozefina Thomas Quade was born on March 9, 1932, in Limburg, Holland. She was the daughter of Mathias and Wilhelmina Richrath Thomas. Malie was baptized, received her first Holy Communion, and confirmed at St. Martinus Catholic Church in Kerkrade, Limburg. She attended parochial schools in Kerkrade and continued her education in home economics.

Malie worked in the family restaurant until May 10, 1940, when Nazi Germany invaded Holland. Her family closed their restaurant instead of putting a “Jews Forbidden” sign in the window, indicating that no Jews were welcome.

Malie adopted the grave of a fallen American soldier and decorated the grave every week. It turned out that the soldier’s family was from Milbank, SD.

On May 5, 1951, Malie arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey, to visit her sister, Katie Unzicker. She and her parents moved into an empty home on the farm owned by Leslie Quade. Love bloomed, and on July 19, 1952, Malie and Leslie were married on Leslie’s birthday in Webster, South Dakota. He always said “It’s the best birthday present I ever had!” To this union, two children were born: Susan and Jerry. Malie proudly received her United States citizenship at Pierre, South Dakota, on May 5, 1964.  She cherished her citizenship and mentioned it to President Bill Clinton at a rally years ago.

Malie and Leslie enjoyed working alongside each other during their marriage of 59 years. Whether it was farming, gardening, growing flowers, landscaping, traveling throughout the United States or Europe, or relishing the time spent at their summer home on Big Stone Lake, together, they loved it all.  One was seldom seen without the other.

Malie had a giving and caring heart. She worked as a CNA for many years. She worked at St. Bernard’s Hospital in Milbank and then for 41 years at Wilmot Care Center. She held many hands of dying friends and loved ones while giving comfort to their families. If the death occurred during the night, she always made a fresh cup of coffee for Tim Mundwiler for his drive. Her selfless spirit and example inspired many.

Malie was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Altar Society in Wilmot. Blue Cloud Abbey was very dear to her.  Listening to the Abbey bells peal was particularly joyous to her as the bells were made in Holland.  Malie enjoyed singing in the Wilmot Community Chorus for years. Music was in her family, and playing piano and guitar were her favorites.

Malie was very handy in the kitchen. Canning, cooking, and baking were important.  Her reputation preceded her for her well-loved cream puffs. Her family, as well as others, considered her the “Cream Puff Queen”. In her spare time, she spent hours sewing, knitting, and crocheting.  She especially enjoyed the Dallas Cowboys along with her son, Jerry. Malie was the juggler in the family. No one else mastered the skill she displayed in that department.

Malie always made time to chat with friends and neighbors.  She was quick to share an encouraging word and loved giving people compliments.

She loved to support and attend her children’s and grandchildren’s activities. She and Leslie loved their grandchildren’s visits and kept their schedules busy with swimming lessons, library visits, going to water parks, camping expeditions, and fostering and arranging play dates for them. She was proud of all of them and took great delight in telling friends about her family. She adored kitties! She loved her farm cats, as well as other animals, including a lovely turtle that she dearly loved.

Left to cherish her memory are her two children: Susan Van Overbeke of Eagan, MN; and Jerry (Becki) Quade of Paynesville, MN; four grandchildren: Alicia (Ryan) Schneider, McKenzie (Matt) Dahl, Matthew (Chelsea) Quade, and McKayla Quade (fiancé Isaac Heying); five great-grandchildren: Anthony Van Overbeke III, Alexis and Asher Van Overbeke, Nolan Schneider, and Jude Dahl.  She was preceded in death by her parents: Mathias and Wilhelmina; husband, Leslie in 2012; her son-in-law, Anthony Van Overbeke I; and her grandson, Anthony Van Overbeke II.