Gail M. Seaman, 72, died Aug. 20, 2008, at Rapid City (S.D.) Regional Auxiliary Hospice House.
Gail was born April 13, 1936, at Walla Walla, Wash., to Chester and Flora Dean (Gable) Sams.
She attended elementary and high school in Washington before going to Texas for nursing school. She then went to Alberta, Canada, where she attended Prairie Bible Institute for five years. During the summers of those years, she went to the rural areas of South Dakota to teach vacation Bible school.
During that time she met her first husband, David Vetter, whom she married Sept. 14, 1962, at Onida, S.D.
After his death five years later, Gail went back to school and earned her teaching certificate. She then taught for two years in Gettysburg, S.D., and one year in Onida, S.D., before moving to Kansas to continue her education.
She completed her bachelor’s degree at Tabor College, Hillsboro, and taught school at Marion-Florence USD 408 for 25 years.
On Aug. 12, 1978, she married Edward Seaman at Onida, S.D. She continued to live in Marion until her retirement, when they moved to Custer, S.D., in 1995, then to Rapid City in 1999.
Gail had a positive impact on so many lives, but especially the lives of children. From the nine stepchildren and their families acquired in her second marriage, to the thousands of children at Byron Bible Camp where she and her first husband ministered, to the many children she taught in public schools and vacation Bible schools. She was admired by so many.
Even when faced with challenges, she was steadfast in her faith and continued to be a witness for the Lord, who was such an important part of her life.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, David Vetter in 1966; her second husband, Edward Seaman in 2008; her parents; stepson, Jonathan Seaman; sister, Flora Whitson; and brother, Don Sams.
She is survived by eight stepchildren, Jolene and Doug Depew of Navarre, Fla., Jerry and Wilma Seaman of Huron, S.D., Jim Seaman of Ft. Pierre, S.D., Jay and Linda Seaman of Grannis, Ark., Jud Seaman of Rapid City, S.D., Jarvis and Mary Lou Seaman of Valley Center, Janel and Larry Fye of Black Hawk, S.D., and Julian and Roberta Seaman of Emporia; two sisters, Yolanda Hanley of Port Angeles, Wash., and Marva Shmiko of Washington; one brother, K.Darrel Sams of Desert Aire, Wash.; sister-in-law, Doris Sams of Claremont, Fla.; 18 step-grandchildren; 11 step-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews who were an important part of her life.
Funeral services were Monday morning at Bible Fellowship Church, Rapid City, S.D., with Pastor Richard Nickel officiating.
Burial was in Pine Lawn Memorial Park, Rapid City.
Memorial funds have been established with the Byron Bible Camp or Sunshine Bible Academy. Contributions may be sent to the Gail Seaman Trust, 5904 Ash Street, Black Hawk SD 57718.