Hope Kaltenbach

Hope Eileen Kaltenbach, of Martin, South Dakota, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2025, in Kadoka, South Dakota, just shy of her 89th birthday.

Born on December 16, 1936, in Rockford, Washington, to Earl and Floretta Briggs, Hope faced early tragedy when her mother passed away just one week later, on December 23, 1936. She was subsequently raised in Martin, South Dakota, by her aunt and uncle, Ellen and Albert Bostock, whom she loved as parents. Hope attended school in Martin, graduating with the Class of 1955.

On March 30, 1956, Hope married the love of her life, Donald Dale Kaltenbach, in Martin. The couple made their home in Long Valley, farming and ranching alongside Donald’s parents, Phil and Mary. Together, they raised six children. In 1982, Hope and Donald moved into Martin; sadly, Donald passed away in July of that same year. Later in her years, Hope shared a brief marriage with James Fanning.

Hope was a dedicated worker throughout her life. She began her career at the Bennett County Nursing Home as a cook, eventually working her way up to serve as the Dietitian. After retiring from the nursing home, she began a second chapter at the Coast to Coast Hardware store, where she became well-known for her welcoming demeanor and friendly conversation with every customer who walked through the door.

A woman of many talents, Hope enjoyed painting, sewing, crocheting, and quilting. She was an avid gardener and had a keen eye for the beauty around her, capturing numerous photos of nature and clouds. She was an excellent baker and a competitive card player who looked forward to her daily games. Above all, she was a passionate animal lover. Over the years she opened her home to countless cats and dogs, and most famously, a pet skunk named Robear.

Hope was the proud mother of six children. She is survived by Laura (Tom) Burcham, Scott (Julie) Kaltenbach, Robyn Moran, and Chad (Connie) Kaltenbach. She holds in loving memory her children who passed before her: Lancy Kaltenbach (2006) and Kathy Hegglund (2015).

She leaves behind a legacy of love in her 12 grandchildren: Christopher, Tyrel, Kyah, Ronda, Amber, Kassie, Matthew, Stephanie, Brandi, Nickolas, Nathan, and Natasha; as well as numerous great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law: Betty Berry, Julie Briggs, and Judy (Ken) Nelson; her brother-in-law, Ed (Marsha) Kaltenbach; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her husband Donald (1982), children Lancy (2006) and Kathy (2015), and daughter-in-law Jill Kaltenbach, Hope was preceded in death by her great-granddaughter, MacKenzi Rickman; her parents, Earl and Floretta Briggs; and the parents who raised her, Ellen and Albert Bostock. She was also preceded by all of her siblings: Phil Briggs, Frances Mattley, Norman Briggs, Elna June Ceplecha, and Betty Barnes; and her adopted siblings Glen and Jane Bostock. Also preceding her were her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Frank Ceplecha, Robert Barnes, Claude Alan Berry, Ken and Betty Kaltenbach, Eugene and Bessie Kaltenbach, and Bob and Liz Kaltenbach.