Myrtle First of Brookings, passed away Wednesday, November 25, 2020, at Avera Mckennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.  Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 4, 2020, at 10:30 A.M. at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings.  The service will be live streamed on the Eidsness Funeral Home website under Myrtle's obituary page for those wishing to view from home.

Myrtle May First was born, June 13th, 1950 in Cedar Butte, South Dakota to James and Martha First In Trouble. Myrtle attended St. Francis Boarding School and Redfield School where she received her education. In October of 1986, Myrtle moved to Brookings where she called ADVANCE her home for 34 years.

Myrtle lived fearlessly with her many travels and had a zest for life. Myrtle took trips to Hawaii, California, Australia, New York, Alaska, and this is just to name a few. Myrtle also took pride in her heritage and enjoyed attending local Pow Wows. Myrtle had a love for cats, and enjoyed going to the Humane Society to visit them. If any of her staff or loved ones had a cat, she would always be sure to ask about it. Myrtle's caring heart was obvious to anyone who knew her. She would never pass up an opportunity to ask her loved ones about their family, children, and spouses.

Myrtle was employed at various jobs within the community of Brookings  She worked at the Holiday Inn, First National Bank, Daktronics, Brookings Theater, Pizza Ranch, 3M, and Larson's Manufacturing. Myrtle also enjoyed volunteering at the Humane Society and the Brookview Manor. With her love of animals, Myrtle also volunteered at the Sioux Falls Zoo where she assisted in giving tours, and greeted the many visitors with her everlasting smile.

Myrtle was active and proud of her accomplishments with Partners in Policymaking and was a long term member of People First. Myrtle also enjoyed riding horses and being active in the STARS program, enjoyed her rides with BATA, and enjoyed participating in the art program. Myrtle's heritage was an important part of her life; she also enjoyed participating in "Friendship", a Bible study group for many years.

In her retired years, Myrtle enjoyed getting her nails and hair done by staff, drinking coffee and diet coke, wine, watching Animal Planet, looking through all her cat books, doing various crafts, and making sure she got her daily nap in.

Over the years, Myrtle maintained close relationships with many staff employed at ADVANCE, past and present, and her special friend, Cindy Schofield. Everyone who knew her agrees that she had the warmest smile, the most contagious laugh, and gave the warmest hugs. Myrtle will be greatly missed by her friends and her ADVANCE family and leaves behind a legacy of memories. She will be greatly missed by many.

ADVANCE would like to thank  the Brookings Health System, and Avera McKennan Hospital for the wonderful care she received during her illness.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Martha; her father, James; and her brothers George and Joseph..

"When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice." - Native American Scriptures