Anita M Girard went to join her Lord and heavenly family on August 10, 2020 at her home in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 91 years, 1 day.  Anita was born August 9, 1929 to Nicholas and Genevieve (O'Connor) Scheuring on a farm just east of Beresford, SD.  The family lived on several farms south of Beresford.  Anita started her education at Emmett School #46 until 1937 when the family moved to Beresford during the early months of her third grade year.  She went on to complete her education in the Beresford Schools.

Her high school years were formative years for Anita.  Her favorite subjects were Math and Literature.  She also took a semester of journalism and worked on the school paper.  She said it was one of the most pleasurable of experiences she had in high school.  When she started high school, her Dad said it was time to go to work.  Some of the jobs she had during her high school years included delivering the Argus Leader, working at McGill's Market, at the Bakery, and even setting pins at the local bowling alley.  After graduating from high school in 1947, Anita wanted to go to college, but her Dad was not supportive of the idea, so she got a job at the local Bank.

It was during her senior year of high school that she met the person who would become the love of her life, Richard "Bud" Girard.  A year after meeting they married on February 7, 1948.  Shortly after the wedding she moved to Council Bluffs to be with her new husband who was attending school there.  After his graduation from Boyles Business College in May of 1948 they found themselves in Clark, SD where Bud got a job with the railroad.  The depot was closed and in January of 1949 they returned to Beresford where they raised a family and lived until late 2015 when they moved to Sioux Falls, SD.

Bud was supportive of her pursuing a college education so Anita wasted no time in signing up for courses, attending night and summer school classes at USD in Vermillion.  In 1959, Anita took a job with the local school district working in the Superintendent's office.  She also punched many a meal ticket in the lunch line.  With her college courses she would eventually become the Business Manager for the Beresford School District.  She served 2 terms on the Board for the South Dakota School Business Administrators, and twice served on the Planning Committee for the Annual School Board Members/School Administrators joint meeting.  She said the School District was a good fit and she loved the stimulation of the many challenges thrown her way over her 30 years of service.  She retired from the Beresford Schools in June of 1989.

Anita was active in her community, both during her working and retirement years.  She was very active in her church, St Teresa's of Avila in Beresford serving twice on the Finance Committee, Catholic Daughters of the America's Court, former president of the Altar Society, and a Member and Treasurer of the St. John Cemetery Association, a Eucharistic Minister and Lector at Mass, and she taught CCD for 7th graders for 17 years.  She was a Member of the South Dakota Association of School Business Officials, the Board of Directors of South Dakota Association of School Business Officials, the Joint School Administrators of South Dakota and South Dakota Education Association Joint Convention Committee.  She was a Member, Past President, and Past Treasurer of the American Legion Post #72 Auxiliary.  A Member of the Housing Redevelopment Commission.  She computerized 75,000 volumes at the local library, after which she decided she enjoyed the library so much she started to work there part time.

In her spare time, she enjoyed spending time with her family, reading, crocheting, making quilts, and playing cards.  Trivia note, Anita was a part of not one, but two 5 generation photos!

Anita is survived by her two children, Linda (Gene) White, and Skip (Shelli) Girard; son-in-law Gary Furniss; 6 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 2 step great-grand-children; and 1 great-great-grandchild.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Bud; sister Mary; and two daughters Laura and Kathy.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 am on Saturday, August 15th at St Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Beresford SD with interment following the service.  Visitation will be at the church on Friday, August 14th from 5 to 7 with family present.  There will be a rosary said at 6:45pm in the sanctuary with a prayer service to follow.  You are encouraged to share your story about Anita at this service.

Instead of sending flowers or gifts, the family asks that you make a donation to the Minnesota/North Dakota/South Dakota chapter of the ALS Association at www.alsmn.org.