Pauline Tolsma

 Pauline Joyce Tolsma, 95, went to her heavenly home Thursday, February 12, 2026 at Avera Bormann Manor in Parkston.  Funeral service will be Monday, February 16 at 10:30 am, with visitation beginning at 9:30 am, at Aurora Reformed Church in Aurora Center. Arrangements by Koehn Bros. Funeral Home in Stickney.

   Pauline was born on June 27, 1930, the second oldest of the five children, to Henry and Gertie (Vanden Hoek) Groeneweg on a farm near Harrison, SD.  She attended country school through the 8th grade and Corsica High School, graduating in 1948. She attended Springfield College for one year and received her teaching certificate and taught at a country school near her home.  She was united in marriage to Lawrence Tolsma (Dutch) on January 16, 1952  in Harrison, SD. They were fortunate to be married for 50 years.  Pauline worked at the Good Samaritan Society in Corsica, SD and helped Lawrence farm and raise hogs and chickens.  She loved to sew for her family, cook, work in the garden, can vegetables, and spoil her family with fresh baked bread,buns and her delicious caramel rolls.  She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and Aurora Reformed Church where she was active in the Ladies Aid and Guild and taught Bible School and Sunday School.  Some of her interests include sewing, quilting, knitting, and embroidering.  She sewed blue jean quilts for all the grandchildren. She enjoyed camping and fishing and the many family vacations they took. After Lawrence passed away, she worked for Home Instead for approximately 5 years.

   Grateful for having shared her life are her children:  Sharon Crago of Lead, SD; Allen (Avis) Tolsma of Stickney, SD; Cindy (Sam) Everson of Omaha, NE; Patty (Melvin) Veurink of New Holland, SD; Brenda (David) Rauscher of Mitchell, SD; Barry (LeAnn) Tolsma of Lead; Pamela (Lance) Perrett of Summerset, SD; 24 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren ; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and 2 brothers, Robert (Bertha) Groeneweg of Anchorage, AK and Larry Groeneweg of Corsica, SD.

   She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lawrence; son Dwight, son-in -law, Roger Crago; 3 grandchildren, Jeremy, LeeAlan, and Alexia Tolsma; 2 brothers, Merlin and Alvin Groeneweg; and  2 sisters-in-law, Donna and Judy Groeneweg.

   The family will be forever grateful to the caring staff at Avera Bormann Manor and Avera hospice in Parkston for your kindness and compassion while caring for our mom at the end of her journey.