Noreen Bridges, 94, went to her heavenly home Monday, July 6, 2026 at Lake Andes Healthcare Center in Lake Andes.  Funeral mass will be Monday, July 13 at 10:30 am, with visitation beginning at 9:30 am, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Geddes.

Noreen Niehus was born January 8, 1932, on a farm east of Geddes, SD, to Andrew and Anna (Eilers) Niehus.  She grew up in the Geddes area, where she attended country school, St. Anne's Catholic School, and graduated from Geddes Public School in 1949. She also attended six weeks of summer school at Notre Dame in Mitchell, South Dakota.  

She married Neal Bridges on January 8th, 1951. Born to this union were five daughters: Deborah, YaVonne, Vicki, Jeanine, and Nancy. 

While raising her family, she drove bus for the Geddes School and later worked at Melmer’s Market in Geddes. After raising her daughters she worked for Clements-Wiese Funeral Home in Lake Andes until she retired. 

She found great joy in tending to her garden and had a passion for cooking and baking, especially her famous homemade pies. Her baked treats were always a favorite among family and friends, and many looked forward to enjoying the delicious goodies she lovingly made. She also took pride in selling her homemade pies, sharing her talent with the community. One of her greatest joys was teaching her grandchildren how to bake, passing down treasured family recipes, techniques, and a love for creating something special together. 

Neal and Noreen loved dancing of any kind.  She also enjoyed golfing, quilting, knitting, and crocheting, always keeping her hands and heart busy. She was a member of the Country Quilters, Do Si Do Square Dance Club, Red Hat Society, St. Anne's Catholic Church and Altar Society in Geddes, St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Lake Andes, Civic Club, and Randall Hills Golf Club. Above all, her greatest love was her family. She cherished every moment spent with them, creating lasting memories through her kindness, generosity, and the traditions she lovingly shared. 

Noreen is survived by her three daughters: Deborah Ronfeldt of Lake Andes, SD, YaVonne (Steve) Slowey of Yankton, SD and Jeanine Perez of Sioux Falls, SD; ten grandchildren: Stephanie (Ron) Koupal, Diane (Darryl) Deurmier, David (Patti) Ronfeldt, Katherine (Brian) Johnson, Andrew (Brandi) Ronfeldt, Mike (Lindsey) Ronfeldt, Stephen (Madge) Slowey, Michelle (Tim) Rutjes, Jacob Wampler, and Annie Wampler; 25 great-grandchildren; 14 great-great-grandchildren with two on the way; three sisters-in-law: Elinor Bridges, Karen Bridges, Betty Niehus and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Neal Bridges; two infant daughters, Vicki and Nancy; two sons-in-law: Norman Ronfeldt and Buck Wampler; six brothers: Louie, Ralph (Maxine), Vernon (Evelyn), Bob (Vi), Joseph (Millie), and Bernard Niehus; three sisters: Georgine (Ernie) Pesicka, Mary Ann (Derald) Florey, Betty (Clarence) Minahan; and two brothers-in-law: Maynard and Mervin Bridges.

A slideshow will be posted once they have been completed.