Lillian “Lil” Zirpel, 85, died Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015, at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital.
She was born Aug. 25, 1930, in Douglas County, SD, to Carl and Clara (Walz) Moege. She was baptized by Rev. Paul Hempel and later confirmed in the German language in June 1943, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Dimock. She attended grade school in a one-room schoolhouse in Washington Township and graduated from Parkston High School in 1948.
On June 6, 1948, she married Waldemar (Wally) Zirpel. Together they farmed 12 miles southwest of Mitchell. Wally died in 1993 and in 1994 she married Leonard Zirpel. Leonard died in 1998. In 2001, Lillian began working at Avera Select Insurance in Mitchell and retired in March 2013. Lil enjoyed playing cards, dancing, country music and embroidery. She was always happy to see her children and grandchildren when they came to visit.
She is survived by her five children: Caroline (Duane) Schuh, Rapid City, Bill (Kathy) Zirpel, Dell Rapids, Jim (Becky) Zirpel, Burke, Rita (Jimmie Jr.) Pope, Cleveland, OH, and Bob (Carolyn) Zirpel, Humboldt; six grandchildren: Mark (Josette) Schuh, Paula Arthur, Mikaela Pope, Jimmie Pope III, Hannah and Justin Zirpel; four great-grandchildren, Morgan and Lane Arthur, Ryan and Candace Wurdeman; one great-great-grandchild, Kenley Wurdeman; and her very special friend, Aleck Larson.
She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands and brother, Willard Moege.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. CST, with 7 p.m. prayer services Thursday, Dec. 17, at Bittner Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be left at Bittner Funeral Chapel. Funeral services were held on Friday, Dec. 18, at the Zion Lutheran Church. Burial will be at Flensburg Immanuel Cemetery, rural Dimock.