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Trevor Elbert
Trevor Elbert, four year old son of Jason and Hope Elbert of Big Stone City died
July 30th at the Ortonville Hospital.
Funeral services will be Monday, August 3rd at 2:00 p.m. at Tabor United Methodist Church in Big Stone City. Rev. Beth Conrad will officiate and burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery.
Visitation will be Sunday at Mundwiler Funeral Home from 2 – 7 p.m. and continue at the church on Monday, one hour prior to the service.
Honorary bearers will be: Tyler Elbert, Jason and Karlia Dahl, and all his cousins. Casket bearers will be: Cody Hendricks, James Elbert, Kellie Wohlleber, Annette Wiseman, Scott Hendricks, Crystal Bohn, and Scott Hall.
Trevor Scott Elbert was born December 22, 2004, in Milbank, SD. He was the son of Jason and Hope (Bohn) Elbert. He was fondly referred to as their “little man” and will be remembered for his infectious smile. Trevor enjoyed playing his first season of T-Ball and was excited to start pre-school this fall and hockey this winter. He made his family laugh with all his expressions, animations, pretend cooking, and dancing. He loved Spiderman and Sponge Bob. His brother, Tyler was his best friend and playmate.
Trevor Elbert is survived by his parents, Jason and Hope Elbert of Big Stone City, SD; one brother: Tyler; paternal grandparents: Janet and Eddie Elbert of Big Stone City, SD; maternal grandparents: Florence and Roger Raddatz of Big Stone City, SD and Harold Bohn of Twin Brooks, SD; paternal great grandparents: Edward and Judy Elbert of Willmar, MN; aunts and uncles: James Elbert of Watertown, SD; Kellie Wohlleber of Milbank, SD; Annette Wiseman of Milbank, SD; Scott Hendricks of Estelline, SD; and Crystal Bohn of Billings, MT.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Brooke Nicole and his maternal great grandparents.
Ralph Schmidt, Jr.
Ralph Schmidt, Jr., age 64 of Big Stone City died July 20th at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, July 24th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Charles Catholic Church in Big Stone City. Father Daniel Wolfgram will officiate.
Visitation will be Thursday at Mundwiler Funeral Home beginning at 5 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Friday, one hour prior to the Mass.
Music will be provided by Paula Rausch, guitarist. Honorary bearers will be his grandchildren: Amanda Schmieg, Brandon Schmidt, Andrew Schmidt, Bryanna Schmidt, Gretchen Schmidt, Megan Ekern, Mackenzie Ekern, Miranda Ekern, Kasey Schmidt, Trevor Schmidt, Gauge Stengel, and Jessel Stengel; and great grandchild: Brynlee Schmieg.
Casket bearers will be: Delmar and Lousie Schmidt, Stella Hynnek, Mary Rethke, Tim and Sue Stengel, Mark and Sandy Ekern.
Ralph John Schmidt, Jr. was born March 24, 1945, in Milbank, SD. He was the son of Ralph K. and Jane “Cozy” (Van Lith) Schmidt. Ralph graduated from Milbank High School in 1963. In high school Ralph became involved in FFA, winning many awards with trips to Kansas City, MO. After high school, he enjoyed coaching FFA softball. Ralph was united in marriage with the love of his life, Marjorie Annett, on June 11, 1966, in Milbank.
Ralph was active with the Knights of Columbus for many years. In 1968, Ralph started artificially inseminating cows. He bred cows for many neighbors and friends. He loved his milk cows and greatly enjoyed all of his hired hands in the barn. Ralph won many of the Grant County DHIA awards.
In 1980, Ralph was given the Grant County Outstanding Farmer Award. In recent years, Ralph enjoyed camping and fishing. He trucked for Consolidated Concrete. He loved and enjoyed his children, his 12 grandchildren and one great grandchild. His life has been good and God had richly blessed him.
Ralph was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church in Big Stone City.
Ralph Schmidt, Jr. is survived by his wife, Marjorie of Big Stone City, SD; his children: Ralph Paul and wife Nancy Schmidt of Big Stone City, SD; Bryan and wife Kim Schmidt of Warner, SD; Susan and husband Scott Ekern of Sioux Falls, SD; Chris and wife Stacy Schmidt of Milbank, SD and Sarah and husband Eric Stengel of Milbank, SD; 12 grandchildren and one great granddaughter; two sisters: Annette and husband Marty Goerger of Madison, MN;JoAnn Renn of Longmont, CO; one brother: Roger and wife Charlene Schmidt of Maple Grove, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother-in-law and two nephews.
Verlyn Hanson
Verlyn Hanson, age 70 of Milbank died July 19th at the Milbank Area Hospital - Avera Health.
Funeral services will be Saturday, July 25th at 2:00 p.m. at American Lutheran Church in Milbank. Rev. Craig Werling will officiate and burial will be in the Milbank Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday from 5 – 8 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home and continue at the church on Saturday, one hour prior to the service.
Honorary bearers will be: Bob and Arlene Fields, Sandra Hansen, Leonard and Janet Haliburton, Jim and Pat Berkner, Fred and Judith Lundberg, and the Employees of Milbank Post Office. Casket bearers will be: Dale Boerger, Rick Hansen, Donnie Leddy, Bob Nelson, Colton Hanson, and Richard Hansen. Music will be provided by Carol Ydstie, organist; Brenda Maas, vocalist accompanied by Roxanne Bliss.
Verlyn Lee Hanson was born August 9, 1938, in Milbank, SD. He was the son of Clifford Oscar and Katy (Rottrop) Hanson. He was raised on the family ranch near Twin Brooks and attended school at Twin Brooks III, also known as Hillcrest School. He graduated from Auctioneering School in 1958. He was united in marriage with Sonja Lundberg. He later was united in marriage with Barb Folk.
Verlyn was a farmer, rancher, rural mail carrier, and a bus driver for the Milbank School District. He was an auctioneer, truck driver for the Mercantile, Valley Farm Equipment, and Jackson Equipment. He was confirmed at the Evangelical Free Church in Stockholm, SD and was an active member of American Lutheran Church in Milbank. Verlyn served on the Twin Brooks Township Board. He enjoyed auctioneering at various public events and fundraisers.
Verlyn Hanson is survived by his children: Roxanne and husband Steve Bliss of Tavares, FL; Victor and wife Theresa Hanson of Pierre, SD; Shelly and husband Charles Berkner of Milbank, SD; Teresa and husbandJerry Sullivan of McDonough, GA; Vincent and wife Chris Hanson of Bristol, SD; step-son: Rodney Hanson and step-daughter: Brandy McMahon; 8 grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren, one sister: Delores and husband Curtis Nelson of Sioux Falls, SD and a special friend: Shirley Leddy of Stockholm, SD.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Geraldine Waege and one brother Kenneth Hanson.
Wanda Helmbrecht
Wanda Louise Helmbrecht, age 45 of Milbank died July 14th at the Deuel County Good Samaritan Home in Clear Lake.
Funeral services will be Saturday, July 18th at 11 a.m. at the Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank. Rev. DeVern Schwenn will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service
Wanda Louise Kelly was born June 2, 1964 at Omaha, NE. She was the daughter of James and Karen (Eckles) Kelly. Wanda graduated from Milbank High School. Wanda married David Helmbrecht September 23, 1989 in Milbank. Wanda worked with David at Ol’ Mill Meats and was a homemaker. Her pride and joy were her grandchildren. She enjoyed laughter and making people laugh, camping, arts and crafts, and watching the kids wrestle.
Wanda hopes she made a difference in this world with her humor and care for others. She collected toys for children who suffered burn injuries at the hospital in Sioux Falls.
She was a member of the Central United Methodist Church in Milbank.
Wanda Helmbrecht is survived by her daughters, Kerri Minder of Jamestown, ND and Theresa Minder of Astoria; three step-children, Joseph Helmbrecht of Sioux Falls, Dave (Jessica) Helmbrecht of Grand Forks, and Andrea (Danny) DelReal of Modesto, CA; one granddaughter, Kelsey Helmbrecht; two grandsons, Carter and David Helmbrecht, Jr; sister, Tina (Don) Myers of Windom, MN; three brothers, James Kelly and Cody (Delores) Kelly of Milbank and Dr. Pat (Ann) Kelly of Sioux Falls; mother and father-in-law, Bert and Arlys Helmbrecht of Milbank and by several nieces and nephews.
Wanda was preceded in death by her parents.
Esther E. Strasser
Mrs. Esther Strasser, age 87 of Wilmot died July 8th at the Wilmot Care Center.
Funeral services will be Monday, July 13th at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Wilmot. Rev. Eldon DeBoer will officiate and burial will be in the Wilmot Cemetery.
Visitation will be Sunday from 5 – 7 p.m. at Mundwiler Faith Chapel in Wilmot. Visitation will continue at the church on Monday, one hour prior to the service. Music will be provided by Sharon Ammann, organist and Ken Cameron, vocalist.
Honorary bearers will be her grandchildren: Mark and Chantelle (Strasser) Blakely, Andrea (Carey) Strasser, Nick and Joy (Yuan) Strasser, Portia Strasser, and great grandchildren: Ashlyn,Braden, and Carson Blakely. Casket bearers will be grandchildren: Darren Strasser, Travis Strasser, Fredrick Strasser, Shane Strasser, Lauren Strasser, and Kendra Strasser.
Esther Erlene (Smit) Strasser was born September 1, 1921, on a farm south of Wilmot, SD. She was the daughter of Egbert and Bessie (Poppen) Smit. Her father, Egbert passed away when she was about two years old and her mother later married Ben Wiese. Ben and Bessie had three more children: Bennard Wiese of Orange City, IA; Delmer Wiese of Laurenburg, NC and Betty Draewell of Bradenton, FL.
Esther graduated from Corona High School and attended Normal teacher’s training at General Beadle College in Madison, SD. Esther taught at country schools for three years. She was united in marriage with Harold K. Strasser on September 1, 1943. Harold and Esther were blessed with four sons and lived on a farm near Wilmot, SD most of their lives.
Following the birth of her first son, Esther became a full time homemaker. Throughout her life, Esther was a caring wife, mother, and grandmother. Esther and Harold were married for 65 years before Harold died in December of 2008. She was a member of Zion Community Church where she played the piano and was actively involved in the women’s missionary group while she was able. She enjoyed handwork, embroidery, quilting, and crocheting afghans for her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed reading and working crossword puzzles. In 1998, Harold and Esther moved to Park Place Assisted Living in Milbank, SD and later to the Wilmot Care Center.
Esther Strasser is survived by four sons and daughters-in-law: Delton and Vernette Strasser of Wilmot, SD; Royce and Mitzi Strasser of Summit, SD; Dale and Ruth Strasser of Freeman, SD; Keith and Lisa Strasser of Omaha, NE; 10 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren; two brothers: Bennard Wiese of Orange City, IA; Delmer and wife Christa Wiese of Laurenburg, NC; and one sister: Betty and husband David Draewell of Bradenton, FL.
Gene Neu
Eugene Neu, age 75 of Milbank died July 4th at the Milbank Area Hospital - Avera Health.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, July 8th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank. Father Ken Lulf will officiate and burial will be in the St. Lawrence Cemetery.
Visitation will be Tuesday at Mundwiler Funeral Home beginning at 5 p.m. followed by a scripture and rosary service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Wednesday, one hour prior to the Mass. Military honors will be provided by the American Legion, Birch-Miller Post #9 and the VFW Grant County Post #3486.
Honorary bearers will be: Dave and Diana Snaza, Steve and DiAnn Muellenbach, John Hicks, Tom Hartman, Dale and Jean Aesoph, Dale and Pam Adelman, and all his friends. Casket bearers will be: Craig Erpelding, Kevin Erpelding, Jeremy Mohs, Scott Neu, Brian Stanger, and Steve Neu.
Eugene “Gene” Christ Neu was born June 22, 1934, in Eden Valley, MN. He was the son of Aloys and Loretta (Kron) Neu. Eugene served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from November 2, 1953, until his honorable discharge on November 2, 1956.
Gene was united in marriage on October 28, 1961, with Regina “Reggie” Mohs in Shooks, MN. They were blessed with three children: Karen, Gregg, and Michael.
Gene was a construction worker and superintendent. He worked for several construction companies, including Barbarossa Construction, Moorhead Construction, Abbot Arnie & Schwindt Construction, Robert Lein Construction, and Dick Skoog Construction. He built water and sewage treatment plants and his career took him to North Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota.
Gene was a very caring father to his three children and seven grandchildren, and loved it when they came home. He enjoyed playing cards with anyone who stopped by the house. He was an active member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church and a member of the AmericanLegion, Birch-Miller Post #9. He enjoyed helping his neighbors and took great delight in gardening and sharing his produce.
Gene’s memory will be cherished by his wife, Reggie of Milbank, SD; his children: Karen and husband Mike Saltis of North Branch, MN; Gregg and wife Jennifer Neu of Ortonville, MN; and Michael and wife Jen Neu of East Bethel, MN; seven grandchildren: Ryan and Kayla Saltis; Nathan, Allie and Sarah Neu; Gabrielle and Taylor Neu; his brothers and sisters: Donald (Jeanette) Neu of Kalispell, MT; Corrine (Roger) Wicker; Duane (Ruth) Neu; Jerome (Betty) Neu all of St. Cloud, MN; Kenneth Neu of Monticello, MN; Elmer (Carolyn) Neu; Laura (David) Stanger; Alois (Mary) Neu; Sandra (Keith) Deadrick all of Paynesville, MN; Bernard (Helen) Neu of Shakopee, MN; his brothers and sisters-in-law: Annella (Denny) Erpelding; Corrine (Roland) Schmit all of Blackduck, MN; Rosie Mohs of Minneapolis, MN; Sister Eileen Mohs, O.S.B. of Crookston, MN; Walter (Betty) Mohs of Shooks, MN; Charles Mohs of Hugo, MN; Mardelle Mohs of Hayward, WI; Bernice (Dale) Merschman of Baudette, MN; Paula (Jim) Dehn of Webster, WI; Alfred (Bonnie) Mohs of Detroit Lakes, MN; Wendell (Lyn) Mohs of Rice, MN; Charlotte Mohs of Virginia.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Aloys and Loretta; four brothers: Richard, John “Jack”, Ralph and David. He was also preceded in death by his father and mother-in-law: Norbert and Martha Mohs; three brothers-in-law: Dennis Mohs, Richard Mohs, and David Johnson; and one sister-in-law: Vivian Mohs.
Marianne Tillman Stovall
Marianne Tillman Stovall, age 58, of Independence, MO; formerly of Ortonville died June 26th in Independence.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, July 3rd at 10:30 a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank. Father Ken Lulf will officiate and burial will be in the Milbank Cemetery.
Marianne (Tillman) Stovall was born December 21 1950 at Ortonville MN, the second child of Vincent and Dorothy(LaCombe) and after a brief but valiant battle against multiple myeloma cancer, she passed from this life on June 26, 2009, in Independence MO.
Marianne spent her childhood on the family farm near Ortonville and after graduating from Ortonville High School in l969 went to Kansas City to further her education and spent the rest of her life in the Kansas City area.
She enjoyed nature and being outdoors, especially if she could be riding a horse. She was an adventuresome traveler to new places around this country and had made a trip to Europe. Marianne attended and was a supporter of the fine arts events in the KC area. She was particularly interested in supporting adults with developmental disabilities and served on the Board of Directors of Special Neighbors for many years.
Over the years she had worked for several business in the Kansas City area including the Kansas City Police Dept.; Mid-America Regional Planning Council; Wm Mercer/Marsh McClellen; and Fleischman Hillard. She was employed by the City of Independence as an Administrative Specialist when she became ill.
She leaves behind her son Jason, of Milbank a very Special Friend Mike Money; her stepdaughter Moniquia; both of Kansas City; Mother, Dorothy; of Big Stone City; Sister Charlotte (Elmer) Athey of Big Stone City; Brothers, Donald(Vicky) Tillman of Corona SD; Duane (JoAnn) Tillman of Milbank. Also surviving are five nieces, six nephews, six Aunts and 2 Uncles; four great nieces and eleven great nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father Vincent and by her husband Donnie.
A Memorial Service was held in Kansas City on Wed July 1.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Lifequest Foundation, 804 N. Menzer, Mitchell SD; or Crossroads Hospice, 9237 Ward Parkway Suite 300, Kansas City MO 64114
Dr. Ray S. Anderson
Dr. Ray S. Anderson, age 83 of Huntington Beach, CA, formerly of Wilmot died June 21st in Huntington Beach.
Funeral service will be Tuesday, July 7th at 10:30 a.m. at Wilmot Lutheran Church. Rev. Steve Moberg will officiate and burial will be in the Wilmot Cemetery, with military honors.
Casket bearers will be: Delton Strasser, Royce Strasser, Maurice Beaver, Roger Green, Scott Kneeland, and Bruce Kneeland.
The organist will be Sharon Ammann and Ken Cameron will be the vocalist.
Ray Anderson is survived by his wife, Mildred Anderson of Huntington Beach, CA; three children: Carol and husband Tim Purga of Yorba Linda, CA; Jollene Anderson of Glendora, CA; and Ruth and husband Greg Evans of Tustin, CA; five grandchildren; four great grandchildren; one sister: Myla and husband Harvey Kneeland of Summit, SD and one brother: Clif and wife Irma Anderson of Charlottesville, VA.
Ray was born on August 22, 1925 in Wilmot, SD; the son of Albert and Alma Anderson. A graduate of Wilmot High School in 1943, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. When the war ended, Ray married his high school sweetheart Mildred Babb on August 28, 1946. Ray graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture from South Dakota State University. The next few years Ray and Mildred farmed and began a family.
In 1956, Ray received the calling to leave the farm and prepare for Christian ministry.He and his family moved to Pasadena, CA so that he could pursue studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. After receiving the Bachelor of Divinity in 1959, Ray was pastor of the Evangelical Free Church in Covina, CA until 1970. He responded to a third vocational call as he pursued advanced theological training in preparation for teaching. The family moved to Scotland, where Ray obtained the PhD in Theology in 1972. He taught at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA for four years before returning to Fuller Seminary. As a member of the Fuller Seminary faculty for over 30 years, Ray taught theology to countless master of divinity, doctor of ministry and psychology students. A prolific author, Ray published over 25 books on theology and ministry, including: An Emergent Theology for Emerging Churches; The Shape of Practical Theology; The Soul of Ministry; The Seasons of Hope; and Unspoken Wisdom: Truths My Father Taught Me.
Throughout his years of ministry and teaching, Ray noted the lessons that he had gained from his father on the farm: “The formation of faith preceded the coming to faith: at least this is the way it seems to me in retrospect. My father was a farmer who did not wear his religion on his coat sleeves. His creed was simple—life was a test and a task. The task was to do your work as though your life depended on it. The test was to believe in yourself and God even when the crops failed. As a small boy, he baptized me into this faith one afternoon while sitting on a freshly plowed furrow eating the sandwiches I had carried out to him in the field. “Son, stick your hand into this soil; it will support your life. You take care of it and it will take care of you.” Through the succeeding years, the passion for the soil was unabated. The consummation came when I drove my newly purchased tractor and plow into the field, and sacramentally turned over the soil. With a marriage and family, plus a piece of land to cultivate, I was my father’s son and yet for the first time my own self. I would keep the faith. As it turned out, God became my landlord! Awakening to the reality of Jesus Christ as God’s son and my Savior, I received the gift of saving faith, and along with it, a gentle but persistent calling to leave the farm and prepare for Christian ministry. This we did, arriving at Fuller Seminary in 1956 with the expectation that my taproot was still sunk into the soil, but prepared to endure this unfilled passion at the cross I was to bear. To my surprise, by the time I completed seminary and accepted a call to become pastor of a newly formed congregation, I discovered that the passion of the soil had been transplanted. Then it was that I came to understand that my father had not attached my hand to the soil, but my heart to my hand.And wherever there was soil, even of a different nature, into which I could plunge my hand, the test and task of life could be fulfilled.”
Ray requested that the same Norwegian inscription be put on his tombstone as it is on the marker for his grandparents, H.J. and Kari Anderson: “Sleep well and take your rest in God, when he decides the right time has come, he will send for you.”
Dawn Marie Paczkowski
Dawn Paczkowski, age 44, of Milbank died of natural causes on June 21st at the Milbank Area Hospital - Avera Health.
Funeral services will be Friday, June 26th at 11:00 a.m. at American Lutheran Church in Milbank. Rev. Janine Rew-Werling will officiate and burial will be in the Milbank Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday at Mundwiler Funeral Home from 6 – 8:30 p.m. and continue at the church on Friday, one hour prior to the service.
Honorary bearers will be the Wes Con Employees. Casket bearers will be: Dan Steery, Dan Kaaz, Troy Wimmer, Derrick Appl, Brian Smith, and Calvin Smith.
Dawn Marie Paczkowski was born August 17, 1964, in Veblen, SD. She was the daughter of Leo Frank and Nadine Kay (Hinman) Paczkowski. She graduated from Watertown High School in 1983. Dawn attended Job Corps and Heavy Equipment Operator Trucking School inPalmer, TX. She worked at the Twin Brooks Alfalfa Mill, a motor carrier in Joplin, MO; and later she drove truck for The Shop in Big Stone City, SD, Hedge and Herberg Trucking and RJB Trucking. She was employed at Wes Con in 2004, and worked there until her health forced her retirement.
Dawn enjoyed fishing, music, and going out to eat with family and friends. She especially loved dogs and always enjoyed traveling.
Dawn Paczkowski is survived by her father, Leo Paczkowski of Sisseton, SD; her brothers and sisters: Steve Kadoun of Britton, SD; Mark and wife Kathy Kadoun of Britton, SD; Peggy Russman and Allan Mueller, Jr. of Milbank, SD; Buckley Paczkowski of Sioux Falls, SD; and Richard Paczkowski of New Effington, SD; nieces and nephews: Craig, Scott, Krystal, Heidi, Amber, Victoria, Rebecca and Bradley; great nieces and nephews: Ayriana, Aidenn, Jennifer, Mason, Hunter, Morgan, and Abigail; step-father, George Smith of Milbank; step-brothers and sisters: Kathy and husband Kenny Dragt of Milbank; Calvin and wife LaNae Smith of Milbank; Brenda and husband Collin Chamley of Marvin, SD; Brian and wife Sandy Smith of Milbank; and Susan and husband Chuck Myers of Milbank.
She was preceded in death by her mother and grandparents.
George W. Garrett
George Garrett, age 67 of Milbank died June 20th at his residence.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, June 24th at 10:30 a.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home. Father Ken Lulf will officiate.
Visitation will be Tuesday at Mundwiler Funeral Home beginning at 5 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue on Wednesday, one hour prior to the service. Honorary bearers will be his grandchildren and casket bearers will be his sons. Burial will be in the St. Lawrence Cemetery.
George W. Garrett was born February 20, 1942, in Paragould, Arkansas. He was the son of William Grant and Edith Garrett. He served overseas with the United States Army. He returned and began his career as an over the road truck driver, most recently driving for Hedge and Herberg in Big Stone City, SD. He also did some ranching and farm work. He lived in many different states and settled in Milbank in 1979. He always enjoyed his coffee time at Trevett’s Café.
George Garrett is survived by eleven children: George Garrett, Jr. of Portland, OR; Glenn Garrett of Omaha, NE; Christopher Garrett of Beaverton, OR; Patrick Garrett of Gresham, OR; Serena Rylander of Kent, WA; Rachel and husband Michael Kirchberg of Bellingham, MN; Loretta and husband Richard LaFrazier of South Korea; Tammy and husband Dustin Walz of Colman, SD; Lisa and husband Dan Brandenburger of Revillo, SD; Jesse and wife Jodi Garrett of Milbank, SD and Cody Garrett of Milbank, SD; 25 grandchildren; one sister, Peggy Buchanan of Olivia, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Renate.
Wilbert C. Gall
Wilbert C. Gall, age 86, of Milbank, died June 16th at the Milbank Area Hospital - Avera Health.
Funeral services will be Monday, June 22nd at 2:00 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church in Milbank. Rev. DeVern Schwenn will officiate.
Burial with military honors will be in the Highland Home Cemetery in Jamestown, ND on Tuesday, June 23rd at 11:00 a.m. Military honors will be provided by the V.F.W. Post #760, Jamestown, ND.
Visitation will be Sunday at Mundwiler Funeral Home from 5 – 7 p.m. and continue at the church on Monday, one hour prior to the service.
Casket bearers will be: Dennis Gall, Joel Gutensohn, Tyler Gall, Kyle Gall, Justin Cain, Duane Peschong, and Ron Lundborg. A eulogy will be given by LeRoy Gall.
Wilbert Clarence Gall was born March 13, 1923. He was the oldest son in a family of nine children from Wishek, ND. His parents were John and Caroline (Stockburger) Gall. Wilbert attended school in Wishek. He helped with the family farm from 1930, to 1945, cultivating, harvesting and raising livestock until he entered the United States Army during World War II. He served as a surgical technician with the 369th Station Hospital in Saipan in 1945. When his father became ill in 1946, he returned to the states to help with the family farm.
He married Edna Kurtz on September 28, 1947, at Kulm, ND on the bride’s mother’s 55th birthday. They started their life together on his farm southeast of Kulm, but moved to Jamestown, ND by the next year. Wilbert began working for Ottertail Power Company in 1947, a company he continued with until he retired as a Chief Operator in 1985. Ottertail transferred him to Milbank, SD in 1974, to the new Big Stone Plant, where he worked until he retired.
One of the hardest difficulties Wilbert faced in his life was losing his wife Edna to cancer on March 8, 1979. He spent years alone, but was fortunate to meet and marry Pearl "Dolly" Peschong on October 3, 1992. They resided in Milbank all these years.
Wilbert enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling. He spent free time working on his acre of lawn along the lake. He was able to fix anything and if he could not, he would figure it out. In fact, he did all his home maintenance until he was 84. He owned a 1947 John Deere M tractor for 50 years. He continued to use the tractor in a landscaping business, both in Jamestown and later in Milbank. When he could no longer enjoy a round of golf, he would use his golf cart in his fall leaf collections.
When he took early retirement at age 62 and still wanted to work, he approached the city of Milbank and asked if they would loan him the equipment, he would revitalize the city’s Farley Park and lake area. He enjoyed three years working on the project and the city rewarded him by naming a street through the park after him.
When the family lived in Jamestown, he was part of the Trustee Board of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, serving as Chairman for years. He was chairman of the Building Committee when the congregation built a new church and parsonage.
Wilbert spent his life with a strong work ethic and commitment to family and was very proud of his children and their accomplishments. We have been so proud to call him Dad. We will miss all his advice and help on our home projects.
This last year watching him lose so much of his memory has been hard. We thank the staff at Golden Living Center in Milbank for their care of Dad these last months.
His memory will be cherished by his wife, Dolly of Milbank; his three children: Linda (Joel) Gutensohn of Bismarck, ND; Nancy Haarstad of Bloomington, IL; Dennis (Heidi) Gall of Watertown, SD; his step children: David (Milly) Peschong of Paynesville, MN; Danny (Dolly) Peschong of St. Louis Park, MN; Dean (Marie) Peschong of Flandreau, SD; Dwight Peschong and Donald Peschong, both of LaBolt, SD; Duane (Karen) Peschong of Strandburg, SD; Dawn (Kevin) Dahlgren of Strandburg, SD; Debbie (Warren) Hemmer of Milbank, SD; and Linda (Dick) Lounsbery of Revillo, SD; four grandchildren:Charles (Heather) Gutensohn of Camp Pendleton, CA; Robin (Justin) Cain of Murrieta, CA; Tyler (Melissa) Gall of Milbank, SD; Kyle Gall of Watertown, SD; one great granddaughter: Liana Elizabeth; 23 step grandchildren; seven brothers and sisters: Lillian (Albert) Gebhardt of Orem, UT; Norm (Marge) Gall of Fargo, ND; Ed (Colleen) Gall of Coquille, OR; Lue Struble of Jamestown, ND; Ardella (Dennis) Justice of Surprise, AZ; LeRoy (Georgine) Gall of Plymouth, MN; and Delores (Ron) Roorda of Jamestown, ND. His brother, Ervin preceded him in death.
The family prefers memorials be given to Central United Methodist Church, Milbank, SD; the Milbank Fire Department or the Milbank Fireworks Display.
