Phyllis Lambert

Phyllis T. (Oster) Lambert, 92, passed away April 7, 2022, at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Howard, SD.

Phyllis was born October 12, 1929, to Henry J and Margaret (Kimber) Oster. She grew up in rural Ethan and attended Davison County country school through Grade 8, then attended Ethan high school. She was an honor student, editor of the Ethan High School newspaper “The Roundup”, and business manager for the EHS yearbook. While in school, she worked as secretary for Superintendent Fred Shaw. Phyllis was selected as the Ethan HS DAR candidate for the Good Citizenship Contest; she graduated as class Valedictorian in 1947. Following high school, Phyllis attended Notre Dame Junior College in Mitchell SD and graduated from the College I Secretary program in 1948. She was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority and active in the College and Business Girls’ Sodality group. After graduation, she worked as a legal secretary for Mr. Fred Tinan in Mitchell for a year and then as a medical secretary for Dr. Robert “RJ” Delaney and Dr. William “Bill” Delaney until 1952.

Phyllis and E. Clair Lambert were married October 6, 1952, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Ethan, SD. They moved to Denver, Colorado while Clair served in the Air Force. Phyllis was employed at Wolvington & Wormwood Law Offices from 1952-1953. Following Clair’s discharge from the Air Force, he and Phyllis returned to SD where they farmed near Fedora and raised their family of 7 children. Phyllis was an active member of the St. Charles Catholic Church in Artesian, holding several offices over the years in the St. Charles Altar Society. She was also involved in the Artesian American Legion Auxiliary. Phyllis was a long-time member of the Beaver Township Extension Club, serving as an officer on the local and county levels. She spent many years supporting her children in countless 4-H and school projects. In 1992, she re-entered the work force as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Avera Brady Nursing Home in Mitchell, SD. She was highly respected and considered an exceptional role model for other CNAs, exhibiting kindness, patience, compassion, grace and humor in her work there, just as she had done her whole life. She was recognized with an Outstanding Service award in 2005 and retired in 2006.

Phyllis’ writing talents were enjoyed by all those who were blessed to receive her letters and cards over the decades. She enjoyed the beauty of her gardens and time spent with her spouse, siblings, children, and grandchildren. Phyllis treasured those small moments: a hug or snuggle from a grandchild, a great cup of coffee (and piece of pie) and quiet conversation.

Phyllis is survived by her 7 children, Karen Lambert of Artesian, SD; Jane (Terry) Cooper of Bismarck, ND; Alan Lambert of Sioux Falls, SD; Paul (Julie) Lambert of Madison, SD; Linda (Craig) Maeschen of Dell Rapids, SD; Craig Lambert of Fulton, SD; and Wayne (Heather) Lambert of Mitchell, SD as well as 18 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband of 68 ½ years E. Clair Lambert, her parents Henry and Margaret Oster, siblings Francis Oster, Sister Margaret Mary, Mary Barnes, Tony Oster, Tillie Fritza, June Hoag, Ruth Cone, and John Oster.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM on Tuesday, April 19th at the St. Charles Catholic Church in Artesian, SD. Visitation is from 9 – 10 AM followed by a Rosary at 10 AM. Interment is at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Artesian, SD.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Mitchell Safe Haven, John Paul II School Foundation, or St Thomas School Foundation. Arrangements entrusted with Rustand-Weiland Funeral Chapel Madison, SD.