Obituaries Archives - Big Sioux Media

Cathryn Williamson

July 21, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Cathryn Williamson, 74, of Crooks, passed away on Friday, July 16, 2021 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Her funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Kahler-Brende Funeral Home, Dell Rapids. Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at the funeral home. www.kahlerfh.com

Cathryn Ilene Clemans was born on May 21, 1947 at Osmond, NE, the daughter of Donald and Jean (Wiedman) Clemans. She grew up and attended school in Plainview, NE. After school she worked multiple jobs while raising her children. She moved to Dell Rapids in 1976. She married Darrell Williamson on May 26, 1979 at the Methodist Church in Dell Rapids. The couple made their home in Dell Rapids for twenty years. Cathryn worked in facilities for the Dell Rapids School District, Augustana College and retired from the Children’s Inn. Darrell and Cathryn moved to Crooks in August of 2002.

She enjoyed her family and her arts and crafts. She liked flowers, sewing, puzzles and cheering for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Bill and her sister, Jackie.

Cathryn is survived by her husband of 42 years, Darrell of Crooks; her children, Tammy (Terry) Westover of Dell Rapids, Daniel (Dorothy) Fulton of Sioux Falls, Freddy Nielsen of Brookings, Melissa Edwards of Madison and James Williamson of Sioux Falls; her 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren and her extended family and friends.

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Diane Rogers

July 6, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Diane K. Rogers, age 74, of Dell Rapids, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 3, 2021, at her home in Dell Rapids. A memorial gathering with family will be held from 5:00-6:30 PM Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at the Minnehaha Funeral Home in Dell Rapids. Interment will follow at approximately 7:00 PM at the Trent (Sunny Side) Cemetery in Trent, SD.

Diane was born in Madison, SD, on December 10, 1946, to Louis and Viola (Kahl) Gednalske. She attended school in Dell Rapids and continued her education by attending community college in Sioux Falls where she earned a degree in accounting. Throughout her life, Diane held a variety of jobs, but primarily she dedicated her life to being a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She welcomed her children’s friends as well and looked after them as her own. Diane loved gathering with family and sharing a never-ending supply of hugs.

Diane had several talents and hobbies, and many of them allowed her to enjoy time with her family and friends. Diane loved to bowl and play horseshoes, pool, darts, bingo, cards, and board games. She was also a talented painter, possessing a natural gift of making objects look unbelievably real. Diane was always up for a cup of coffee or a road trip. She liked to travel and for years, Diane would ride the bus and then fly to Texas to stay with family. Diane took pride in her home and her yard, insisting on keeping up with the yardwork and gardening. During the week of her passing, she insisted on pruning her rose bush and cleaning the stones in her fairy rock garden. Diane had a firecracker personality but was also very sweet, with a warm, glowing smile that brightened the room. Once Diane was diagnosed with cancer, she did not fear death because she knew she would soon be with her son Otey.

Survivors include her children: Tammy (Steve) Wendell, Trent, Lisa (Jeff) Nielsen, Trent, Merry (special friend Chuck) Rogers, Sioux Falls, Kenny (fiancé Chloye) Rogers, Sioux Falls, and Ann (Dan) Schmidt, Sugar Land, TX; grandchildren: Jerica (Nick) Johnson, Jace Blair, Jordon Rogers, Jasmine (Logan) Cochran, Daniell Rogers, Tyler Sparks, Michael Schmidt, and Andrew Schmidt; great grandchildren: Isabelle, Emmett, and Glaydon; brothers: LeRoy Gednalske, Flandreau, Ron (Jean) Gednalske, Harrisburg; and sisters-in-law: Bette, Janice, and Jackie Gednalske.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Otey Rogers; and brothers: Richard, James, and Robert Gednalske.

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Jay Nebben

July 5, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Jay Arthur Nebben, age 69, of Dell Rapids, passed away unexpectedly at his home of natural causes on Friday, July 2, 2021. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 AM Friday, July 9, 2021, at the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids. Interment will follow in the Dell Rapids Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 2:00 PM Thursday, at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Dell Rapids, with the family present from 5-7:00 PM. The service will be live streamed on Jay’s obituary page at www.minnehahafuneralhome.com.

Jay Arthur Nebben was born October 11^th, 1951 to Arthur and Delores (Maseman) Nebben, in Dell Rapids, SD. Jay was baptized in the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids. He attended school in Dell Rapids, graduating in 1969. Jay enlisted in the United States Navy in 1969 and served until 1973. He was an electrical aviation mechanic onboard the USS Constellation stationed in the Philippines. He was discharged on October 11^th, 1973. He farmed with his dad on the family farm. He graduated from Dakota State College with a respiratory therapist degree and started working at the Dell Rapids Hospital in 1983, where he was employed for thirty-eight years.

Jay met his wife Sally Leuning on a blind date and they were married June 9, 1990 at Hendricks, Minnesota. They made their home in Dell Rapids and were married for twenty-three years. They were blessed with two children Peter and Jenny. Sally passed away on October 11, 2013. Jay was a member of the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids. He was an “EMT” for the Dell Rapids Ambulance and taught many classes, training others. He taught “safety town“ for kids and brought his dalmatian “Detour” with him for all to enjoy. Jay was a member of the Dell Rapids Legion Post 65 and the Dell Rapids Firing Squad. He was a legion commander and he and his father Art were instrumental in starting the Veterans Memorial Park. Jay was very proud to have served his country and continue the military heritage of his father. Jay was a sports enthusiast, he bowled in a league in Dell Rapids and played American Legion baseball for Dell Rapids as the pitcher, and they won the state championship in 1969. He could often be found telling stories at almost all of the many football, basketball, track and baseball games that he attended. He also loved to attend his son Peter’s football games and weightlifting competitions and his daughter Jenny’s volleyball games. He was on the Dell Rapids Township board, a member of the historical society and promoter of the Dells Rapids Museum. He loved antiques, history, and photography. Jay could tell you the history and facts on just about anything around Dell Rapids and the area. Jay enjoyed hunting and reading, especially books about World War II, farm sales, and old farm equipment. He raised livestock and continued to farm on the family farm until his death. Jay made many friends in the community and through his work, and always made sure to attend weddings, funerals, birthdays, and social events, when at all possible. He always had a helping hand for anyone who needed it, and paid visits to friends and family in nursing homes and hospitals. He delivered coffee and treats to the nurses at the hospital every morning and had coffee at the Dell Rapids Elevator where he and his friends caught up on the daily news around town. He cherished his two grandchildren and would take them to see the new calves in the spring. Jays warm smile and stories will surely be missed in the Dell Rapids community.

He is survived by his children: Peter (Sydney) Nebben and Jennifer (Jesse Lobdell) Nebben, grandchildren: Jason and Jayda Lobdell; sisters: Jan Dybvig and Melanie Burggraaff of Dell Rapids; brother-in-law, Garry Leuning of Hendricks, MN; sister-in-law, Janelle (Bill) Bittner of Crooks; aunts, Hilda Johnson of Dell Rapids, and Rosie Croon of Colman; and uncle, Palmer Nebben of Sioux Falls; and several nieces and nephews and many cousins. Jay was preceded in death by his wife Sally Nebben, father Art Nebben, mother Dee Nebben, infant brother Lynn Nebben, grandparents Joe and Pearl Maseman and John and Anna Nebben; father-in-law Howard “Hoot” Leuning, mother-in-law Phyllis Leuning, and a brother-in-law Dean Leuning.

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Arthur Krier

June 30, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Arthur “Art” Krier, 86, of Dell Rapids, passed away on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. His Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 2, 2021 in St. Mary Catholic Church, Dell Rapids. Interment will be in the St. Mary Cemetery. Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 1, 2021 at Kahler-Brende Funeral Home. www.kahlerfh.com

Arthur “Art” Anthony Krier was born on June 14, 1935, the son of Leavern and Irene (Achen) Krier. He grew up on a farm seven miles north of Dell Rapids. He attended country school before attending St. Mary School. After school he helped his father on the family farm. He married Thora Christensen at Dell Rapids. To this union five children were born. After the divorce, he moved to St. Louis were he worked for Forest Products for 24 years. After retirement he moved back to Dell Rapids.

Art was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and served in the South Dakota Army National Guard. He enjoyed riding motorcycles and fishing.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Joe.

He is survived by his children, Julie Faber (Bart) of Chamberlain, Bruce (Holly) Krier of Montrose, Laurie (Glenn) Anderson of Eden Prairie, MN, Bob Krier of Hartford and Sandy Lybarger of Hartford; ten grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren and one great great-grandchild; his two brothers, Jerome (Donna) Krier of Fairbanks, AK and Andy (Marlyn) Krier of Alta, IA; his sister, Carol (Bill) Manners of Edina, MN; his sister-in-law, Sharon Krier of Brookings and his extended family.

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Thomas “Whitey” Klein

June 26, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Thomas “Whitey” Klein, age 71, of rural Dell Rapids, passed away on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at his home. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 AM Monday, June 28, 2021, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Dell Rapids. Visitation with the family present will be from 4-6:00 PM Sunday at the church, with a Christian Wake Service and Rosary beginning at 6:00 PM. The service will be livestreamed on Whitey’s obituary page at www.minnehahafuneralhome.com.

Whitey was born on September 30, 1949, to Arthur and Irene (Lamberty) Klein. He grew up in the Dell Rapids area and graduated from St Mary High School in 1967. On November 28, 1970, he married his high school sweetheart, Susan Bunkers, the love of his life. Together they raised their three girls, Molly, Jody and Annie. Whitey enlisted in the National Guard shortly after high school and farmed until 1986. He then worked construction before retiring from Jerry’s Electric in 2014. After retirement, he enjoyed and took pride in maintaining the family farm. His five grandchildren were his pride and joy. Whitey loved spending time watching their sports and music events and cooking meat together on the smoker. He lived for gatherings and campouts at the farm while enjoying stories around the campfire with family and friends. He dedicated his life to teaching the value of hard work, traditions, and unconditional love. Whitey’s generosity did not go unnoticed, and his good humor always brought a smile… you always knew what White Dog was thinking!

Whitey is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sue; daughters: Molly (Brett) Ritter, Sioux Falls, and their daughter Rachel; Jody (Eric) Hass of Chester, and their children Logan and Chloe; and Annie (Matt) Bettcher of Hartford, and their children Peyton and Dylan; siblings: Dick (Delores) Klein, Dell Rapids, Art (Joan) Klein, Colorado Springs, CO, Jerry Klein, Dell Rapids, Don (Cheryl) Klein, Dell Rapids, Dave (Barb) Klein, Dell Rapids, Betty (Tom) Goddard, Sturgis, Butch (Connie) Klein, Dell Rapids, Virg (JoEllen) Klein, Dell Rapids, Steve (Bridget) Klein, Sioux Falls, Sue (Scott) Ahlers, Dell Rapids, and Judy (Doug) Swartz, Baltic; and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Danny Klein and Chuck Klein and his wife, Rosie; and a sister-in-law, Judi Klein.

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Dr. Roger Muller

June 12, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Dr. Roger D. Muller, 75, of Carmel, IN, passed away on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. His funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 in the Reformed Church, Dell Rapids. Visitation will be one hour prior to the start of the service. Interment will be in the Logan Reformed Cemetery. www.kahlerfh.com

Indiana services will be held at the chapel at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church at 86th & Meridian in Indianapolis. The calling will be from noon-2 p.m. and the funeral will be at 2 p.m. on June 15, 2021. Indiana arrangements were entrusted to Flanner Buchanan – Carmel. flannerbuchanan.com.

Dr. Roger Muller was born on April 13, 1946 in Chester, South Dakota to Melvin J. and Grace Muller. He graduated from Dell Rapids High School in 1964 and then graduated from South Dakota State University in 1968 with a degree in poultry science. He joined the Alpha Zeta chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity where he met many of his lifetime friends.

Roger married his wife Karen McGee Muller in 1968. She taught elementary school in Estelline while Roger obtained his master’s degree in poultry nutrition from SDSU. Roger then earned his Ph. D. in animal science from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa while Karen taught in Boone, Iowa.

Dr. Muller’s career was spent working in Indianapolis for Elanco, which was then the animal health division of Eli Lilly and Company. He worked there nearly 30 years as a technical writer and manager of marketing technical services until his retirement in 2003. He was well known in the SAS industry, receiving many accolades for his presentations. He wrote many of the sales manuals and travelled the world creating multimedia presentations. After retirement, he did many consulting jobs in the pharmaceutical industry. He also formed Roger Muller Videography, where he shot dozens of weddings a year. He truly got to know each one of the couples he filmed and enjoyed helping them preserve their wedding as a family heirloom.

He enjoyed gardening, photography, and woodworking. His gardens were his pride and joy, complete with a stream and hundreds of perennials. He was active in the Central Indiana Woodworkers club and enjoyed making instructional videos on his YouTube channel. He had almost 800 followers and thousands of views. He was a wonderful storyteller and was told by many people that he sounded like Jimmy Stewart.

Roger always said that the best job he ever had was being a preschool chauffeur to Josie and Sydney. One of the last things he said in the hospital was that his granddaughters were precious, and he wouldn’t trade them for the world. He was adored by all of the pre-school moms who loved watching him brush the girls’ hair and put it big bows. The girls could always count on Papa to be behind the video camera at any of their events, enjoying every minute of watching them play or perform.

Roger’s heart as big as it was unfortunately had a lot of issues over the years starting with a heart attack in 1994. Eventually, congestive heart failure led him to live out his last few days in hospice at home. The family appreciates the loving care given to him by the Compassus hospice staff.

Roger is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Karen and son Bryce Muller of Carmel, Indiana, daughter Kari Morarity (Todd) of Fishers, Indiana, granddaughters Josie and Sydney Morarity of Fishers, sisters Carol and Debra Muller of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Marilyn Schoolmeester (Larry) of Edgerton, Minnesota and many nieces and nephews. He is grateful for all of his friends, many of whom were able to say their goodbyes in his final days.

In honor of Roger’s love of flowers and his alma mater, memorial contributions can be given to the McCrory Gardens at South Dakota State University.

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Avor “Sam” Boeve

May 28, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Avor B. “Sam” Boeve, age 81, of Dell Rapids, passed away on Thursday, May 27, 2021, at his home, surrounded by his wife and his daughters. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 AM Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Dell Rapids. Inurnment will be in the church cemetery. Memorial visitation will be from 5-7:00 PM Tuesday, at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Dell Rapids, with a Christian Wake Service and Rosary beginning at 7:00 PM. The funeral mass will be live streamed on Sam’s obituary page at www.minnehahafuneralhome.com.

Sam was born on December 4, 1939, in Rock Rapids, Iowa to William and Hattie (Kracht) Boeve and attended Doon Public School. He entered the United States Navy in 1959 and was honorably discharged in 1963. He married Phyllis Watters in 1964 and they settled in Corvallis, Oregon in 1965. Phyllis died in 1997. In 1998, Sam moved to Dell Rapids and married Lucille (Watters) Mersch in 2003. Sam worked for International Harvester and then as a mobile home transporter and over the road flatbed truck driver. Sam enjoyed being on the road. He owned several different semis and made sure he took pictures of each and every one of them. In retirement his love of trucks continued while driving semi and working for the Lebrun family. Here is where he met his special friend Joe, who he taught how to drive a semi.

Later in life Sam found his faith in the Catholic Church. He became very loyal to the church and compassionate to his faith. Sam was a very patient man that had compassion for everyone that was in need. Always concerned for everyone…even when his health was failing. Cracking jokes even with the hospice nurses. He had a special bond with his dog Willy, even though he joked around that someday he would be in the burn barrel. Willy stayed by his side till the very end.

Sam was also a skilled small engine mechanic and could fix anything. If Sam couldn’t’ fix it, it couldn’t be fixed. Through the years he enjoyed camping with his family, fishing, and cooking.

Sam is survived by his wife, Lucille, Dell Rapids; daughter, Barb (Larry) Redinger, Corvallis, OR; step daughters: Kathy (Mike) Bolt, Dell Rapids, Diane (Jeff) Bunkers, Dell Rapids, and Debra (Doug) Mergen, Dell Rapids; grandchildren: Ricky Redinger, Rachelle (Justin) Hiestand, Chad (Karen) Gerdes, Amy (Kelly) Lahr, Cj Park, Cody (Danielle) Bunkers, Summer (Billy) Klein, Trevor (Cassie) Mergen, and Mariah Mergen; 17 great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Hattie Boeve, California; and good friends, Marvin Albers, Hills, MN and Joe Thornell, Dell Rapids.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Phyllis; parents; infant sister, Jenny; three brothers, Richard, John, and Albert; and a sister, Pearl Schomaker.

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Diane Damm

May 18, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Diane M. Damm, 75, of Trent, passed away on Sunday, May 16, 2021 at Avantara Lake Norden. Her Memorial Service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 20, 2021 in the Trent Baptist Church. Visitation will be one hour prior to the start of the service. Inurnment will be in the Trent Cemetery. www.kahlerfh.com

Diane Marie Graves was born on April 15, 1946 at Dell Rapids, SD, the daughter of Theron and Luella (Orcutt) Graves. She grew up on Trent and graduated from Trent High School in 1964. She then worked for the Elton Electric Company in Sioux Falls. She married Darrell Damm on July 15, 1966 at Trent. The couple lived in Rapid City until 1968 when they moved to Trent. The couple later divorced. Diane worked for Wittrock Chevrolet in Flandreau for five years and in 1987 she went to work for Dearduff Chevrolet. She was the secretary at Trent Baptist Church and worked as a tour guide at EROS Data for many years before retiring.

Diane was a member of Trent Baptist Church, Rachel Bible Study Group and volunteered many hours at Strive High School in Dell Rapids.

She is preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Doug, David and Donald.

She is survived by her three sons, Jonathan (Delain) of Trent, Matthew (Susan) of Trent, Douglas of Sioux Falls and her daughter, Dawn Johnson of Story City, IA; her 9 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

She spent her last few years surrounded by a team of angels at Avantara Lake Norden.

Memorials may be directed to Camp Judson.

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Alberta “Buff” Gildemeister

May 18, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Alberta “Buff” Gildemeister, 86, of Dell Rapids, passed away on Saturday, May 15, 2021 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. There will be a Memorial Service for both Buff and Darrell at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 22, 2021 in the Reformed Church of Dell Rapids. A family inurnment will begin at 10:00 a.m. in the Logan Reformed Cemetery prior to the start of the service at the church. www.kahlerfh.com

Fiercely independent to the end, Albertha “Buff” Gildemeister 86, of Dell Rapids passed away Saturday May 15 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls after a heroic five-year battle with cancer. There will be a memorial service for both Buff and her husband Darrell at 11:30 am on Saturday May 22, 2021 at the Reformed Church in Dell Rapids. A family interment will begin at 10:00 am in the Logan Reformed Cemetery prior to the start of the service at the church.

Buff was born on September 4, 1934 near Carmel, IA to Gerritt and Albertha “Alice” Van Wyhe. As fourth of nine brothers and sisters, Buff dutifully worked on the family farm outside of Rock Rapids, IA. She attended Nettleton College in Sioux Falls to learn book-keeping and accounting, skills she would use professionally for the Sheraton Hotel, where she was commended for her skill and work ethic, and personally throughout her life.

She met a spirited young man named Darrell Gildemeister when introduced through mutual friends on a blind date. They were married November 25, 1960 and had three children. Buff and Darrell were devoted to one another and were married for 60 years until Darrell’s death in November 2020.

A dedicated wife and mother, Buff left the workforce to direct her full attention to raising the family. In 1974, Buff and Darrell purchased a small farm north of Dell Rapids which would be their beloved home for the next 43 years. Buff used her considerable mechanical, electrical, and book-keeping skills to care for and improve the farm for the family she loved. Buff was an expert in many areas, from refacing cabinets to creating delicacies such as wild game, jam and apple cake from her fruit trees, vegetables from the garden, or butter and yogurt from the milk of their dairy goats. Buff was an avid fan of the Twins and Vikings and enjoyed all sports especially when played by her grandkids. She remained sharp to the end, managing her personal affairs in detail.

Buff was a member of the Reformed Church in Dell Rapids for nearly 50 years and was active in the women’s ministries there. Her faith was extremely important to her and she loved to listen to Gospel music, read her Bible, and faithfully prayed for her family and friends. She brought to her family a habit of reading the Bible aloud at the table following family dinner every evening.

Buff will always be known for her kindness, her brilliant blue Van Wyhe eyes, amazing determination, indomitable positive outlook, her tremendous love for her family and friends, and her grandchildren in particular.

Buff was preceded in death by her parents Gerrit and Albertha Van Wyhe, brothers Gerritt and Elmer, sisters Wilma (Brower), Jan (Selles), Joyce (Dornbush), and her cherished husband Darrell Gildemeister. She leaves behind her daughter Kim (Jeff) Larsen of Hudson, WI and grandchildren Zoe and Ava, son Bryan of Baltic, SD and grandchildren Hans, Fritz, Greta, and Richard, son David (Teresa) of Phoenix, AZ and Grandchildren Kirstie and Drew. She is also survived by brothers Willis and Marvin Van Wyhe and sister Muriel Plooster, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Sincere thanks to so many that helped and cared for Mom over the past several years particularly the staff and friends at the Inn at Westport. Thank you for the many prayers and condolences. We know that Mom was well-loved and is celebrating a life well-lived in heaven even as we miss her here on earth.

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Darrell Gildemeister

May 18, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Darrell R. Gildemeister, 81, of Dell Rapids, passed away on Saturday, November 28, 2020 at Good Samaritan Society Village in Sioux Falls. There will be a Memorial Service for both Buff and Darrell at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 22, 2021 in the Reformed Church of Dell Rapids. A family inurnment will begin at 10:00 a.m. in the Logan Reformed Cemetery prior to the start of the service at the church. www.kahlerfh.com

Darrell was born on March 1, 1939 to Richard and Viola Gildemeister. He graduated from Pipestone High School in 1956 and served in the US Army in Germany where he got to meet his high school hero, Elvis Presley. He married Albertha Van Wyhe, known as Buff, on November 25, 1960 and lived in Sioux Falls where Darrell began a long career at John Morrell. They moved to an acreage near Dell Rapids in 1967 and later moved with their 3 children to their much loved hobby farm north of Dell Rapids. After retiring from John Morrell and a year managing another small meat packing plant, Darrell had another career as a manager in the South Dakota Highway Patrol at the entry port and finally retired again in 2001. He enjoyed his farm for 43 years before moving with Buff to the Inn on Westport in Sioux Falls.

On that hobby farm, Darrell built duck ponds and pheasant habitats where he spent hours every day after work tending and watching his collection of water and prairie fowl. He trapped and fished his creek and hunted a few deer that crossed through. When he wasn’t tending his own birds, or hunting them throughout the state, he could be found reading about them, watching movies of them, carving them, painting them and telling stories about them. This passion for hunting and waterfowl and wild animals began as a little boy of 6 and never waned from pigeons to peacocks, a variety of ducks and geese, exotic pheasants, guineas, pet raccoons, rabbits, ferrets, a de- scented skunk from the zoo, and more. For a change of scenery he’d find other men gathered to talk about hunting or swap birds or hunt the four legged creatures. He was also an excellent trainer of hunting dogs and collected quite a few, but Smokey the Weimaraner and Baron the Black Lab were the best he ever had.

The farm delighted his senses, filled with his birds, and a menagerie of any other animal he could bring home. Every spot that could fit a tree or a shrub got one he selected and tended. His vegetable garden fed friends and strangers and was always a chance to share the bounty if you would just listen to one of his stories. He always took delight and joy in a sunrise. He saw everything and tried to help you see it too if you were nearby. Though he faithfully attended church and knew the hymns and the words of scripture, truly the outdoors was his cathedral, the place where he most clearly saw God.

Darrell was preceded in death by his sister Myrna (Duane Shortie) Larson, his brother in law, Cornelius (Spark) deRuyter and parents. He leaves behind his wife Buff, now residing in Sioux Falls, their children, Kim (Jeff) Larsen of Hudson, WI and grandchildren Zoe and Ava, son Bryan of Baltic, and grandchildren, Hans, Fritz, Greta and Richard, son David (Teresa) of Chandler, AZ and grandchildren Kirstie and Drew. Also surviving are Darrell’s sister Shirley (Cornelius “Spark”) De Ruyter of Rock Valley, IA and brother Dennis (Mary) of Lake Park, IA and many nieces and nephews and in-law’s.

Thanks to so many who have cared for Dad these last years of his decline, especially the staff at Good Samaritan Village in Sioux Falls. Thanks to so many friends for your prayers and condolences. Memorials will be sent to Ducks Unlimited and Reformed Church of Dell Rapids Youth Ministry.

We are confident that Darrell rests in peace and will rise in glory.

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