December 21, 1959 ~ July 14, 2013

Timothy R. Shriver, 53, Brandon, died Sunday, July 14, 2013, at home and surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Visitation & Celebration of Tim’s life will begin at 4:30PM, Thursday, July 18, 2013, with a short service at 5:30 at Heartland Funeral Home, with Lee Green officiating.

Timothy Roy Shriver was born December 21, 1959, to Gerald and Ruth Shriver in Princeton, MN. He was the fifth of six children. His father worked in the lumber yard industry and the family moved around quite frequently throughout Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota. Tim was a graduate of Washington High School in Sioux Falls. He immediately began a career in home building and construction.

On October 15, 1983 (SD pheasant season opener), Tim married the girl of his dreams, Mary Buckley, in Sioux Falls. Tim was working as a shoe salesman at this time. He soon realized he wanted to try something else. He took a job at Diamond Vogel Paints. He also tried PPG Glass Co. as well as several other variations of these jobs. Eventually, Tim started his own business with his brother Greg, of buying property, fixing up rentals and flipping houses before it became a TV show. This became a family business with the kids helping out after school and during summers. Tim and Mary and the family landed in Rowena in 1998 so the kids could attend school in Brandon.

Tim was a man of his word. If he felt strongly about a matter, he would let you know it and if he said he was going to do or NOT do something, he kept his word also. Some of his favorite quotes are “People these days don’t know how to read a tape measure” or “Kids today don’t know how to use a broom”. His family referred to him as the “Rebate King of Menards” for his relentless shopping habits. Sunday papers included “his Menards advertisement” which he read at least three times a week. He stockpiled lint rollers, tape measures, speed squares and lotion from rebates of Menards. His vacations to the Black Hills even required a stop at the Rapid City Menards before they could go on. Tim’s other favorite vacation spot was Chicago where he could people watch for hours. He could talk with any and everyone and even came to a first name basis with a bar tender in the Hardrock Café in Chicago over several years of visits.

Tim will be greatly missed by his wife, Mary (Buckley); five children, Adam, Valley Springs, Matthew (Abbey), Mandy, Alexander and Brooke, all of Brandon; one grandchild, Lynn; his mother, Ruth (Stangeland) Shriver, Sioux Falls; four brothers, Brian (Deb), Ft. Dodge, IA, Mark (Sharon), Sioux Falls, Scott (Kelly), Holman, WI, and Greg (Melody), Sioux Falls; one sister, Terri (Tom) Bartholomew, Erie, KS; and many nieces and nephews.

Tim was preceded in death by his father, Gerald.

February 7, 1938 ~ June 26, 2013

Robert J. Miller Sr., 75, Brandon, died unexpectedly, Wednesday, June 26, 2013, at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Visitation will begin at 5pm with Scripture Services at 7pm, Friday, June 28, 2013, at Heartland Funeral Home. Family will be present at 6pm. Memorial services will begin at 10:30am, Saturday, June 29, at Risen Savior Catholic Church of Brandon with Fr. Ed Pierce officiating. Inurnment will be at the Brandon Cemetery at a later date.

Robert James Miller Sr. was born February 7, 1938, to James and Elnora (Suhl) Miller in Flandreau, SD. He lived and was educated in the Sioux Falls area while farming and finished school in Brandon until he started working at John Morrell in Sioux Falls. Robert met Doris Underberg and they were married June 6, 1955, in Pipestone, MN. They resided in Brandon and raised their three children, five grandchildren and several dogs. Robert worked for John Morrell for over forty years before he was forced to retire due to health reasons.

Robert was known to be a character and loved to have fun. His passion and pride surrounded his family. Whether it was fishing, camping, or babysitting patrol, Robert was all about memories with his family. They made many weekend trips to Walker’s Point and on their two-week trips annually, in August, to every state in the lower U.S., Robert was all about the fun. He also took a trip with his granddaughters to Mexico that created memories that can’t all be retold. He wasn’t known to be a great cook but he was the king of grilled cheese sandwiches. He reportedly wasn’t the best driver either which led to his one-of-a-kind pickup to having scratches, dents and dings in every corner. Robert also loved to carve wooden figures. Many of his friends and family are recipients of his creations.

Robert will be missed by his wife of 58 years, Doris; three children, Pam (Rob) Thorson, Bob (Tricia) Miller, and Pat (Jim) Anderson, all of Brandon; and five grandchildren, Tyler (Angie) Fuerst, Jacob Thorson, Jenny Thorson, Crystal Anderson, and Jackie (Zane) Sorensen; one sister, Barb (Dick) Limoges, Sioux City, IA and one brother, Richard (Deanne) Miller of Sioux Falls.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents.

March 12, 1936 ~ June 23, 2013

Jeanette I. (Rislov) Etrheim, 77, of Sioux Falls, was very recently diagnosed with cancer and died on Sunday, June 23, 2013, at home following a short battle with cancer.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00PM, Saturday, June 29, 2013, at the Jasper Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastor Obed Nelson officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Jasper City Cemetery.

Jeanette I. Etrheim was born on March 12, 1936, to Louis and Alma (Bonrud) Rislov in Dell Rapids, SD. She was raised and educated in the local area and graduated from Jasper High School. She married her husband of 56 years, Roger Etrheim on July 29, 1956. Roger was in the Army and stationed in Paris, France, during the Korean War. Jeanette stayed home with her first child until Roger returned. The couple then moved to Mankato, MN while he attended college and worked to support the family. Jeanette also started taking classes to become a teacher. Soon, the family moved to Des Moines, for Roger’s occupation. Jeanette began her teaching career in Iowa and received her master’s degree at Drake University. She retired after 30 plus years of contributing to the lives of so many young people through her teaching.

Upon their retirement, the couple moved to Bella Vista, AR, where they spent 17 years before returning to Sioux Falls in April 2013 to be closer to family. Jeanette loved to golf, and even had a “Hole in One,” sing, and play piano. In later years, she dedicated her time to playing piano at nursing homes, singing in choirs, scrapbooking, and volunteering at the food pantry.

Jeanette is survived by her husband of 56 years, Roger, Sioux Falls; two children, David (Dede) Etrheim of New Braunfels, TX, and Brenda Etrheim of Des Moines, IA; three grandchildren, Erick and Kyle Etrheim and Peter McDermott; and one sister, Elvira Grant of Mechanicville, NY.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Pearl, and one brother, Odean.

The family requests donations be made to her memorial in lieu of flowers.

May 11, 2010 ~ June 1, 2013

Braeden James Anderson, 3, of Brandon, was taken Home to Jesus, unexpectedly Saturday, June 1, 2013, at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 PM, Wednesday, June 5, 2013, at Heartland Funeral Home. Celebration of Braeden’s life will begin at 10 AM, Thursday, June 6 at Celebrate Community Church (Sycamore location) in Sioux Falls. Interment will follow at Brandon Lutheran Cemetery, Brandon.

Braeden James Anderson was born May 11, 2010, in Sioux Falls, to Mike and Christy Anderson. He was the “little miracle” doctors said was not possible. Braeden was 100% purebred all boy. He was daring and had no fear. If he tumbled and scraped his knee, he brushed it off and went on playing. He wrestled in the living room with Daddy and his brother Ethan all the time; while, being the best little helper a Mommy could ever have. Braeden had a love of trucks and cars, sports (or rather anything that ended with “-ball”), Avenger action heroes, WWE wrestlers, peanut butter sandwiches, his blankie and his thumb, and of course anything that belonged to one of his siblings. He often would take his brother’s Kindle or DS and hide in a corner, playing it. If you couldn’t find it, you knew he was the last one to have it. If it was unusually quiet in the house and he was nowhere to be found, you could either find him hunkered down in the pantry with the door closed behind him or around the corner in the laundry room with the lights out scarfing down snacks.

The Lion King and Iron Man were Braeden’s favorite movies and he would make his family all watch them over and over and over and over again to the point where they all could recite the words themselves. Every morning they watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse; ”Mommy Mickey Mou, Mommy Mickey Mou!”

He was becoming quite a little cowboy calling out for the horses, Pride and Confederate, at Cowboy Grandma and Grandpa’s. Contrary to what you think a typical boy would play with, he loved dressing the paper dolls at Mama and Papa’s. He often lined up his cars in a row around the coffee table at Grandma Karen’s. He has many works of art that adorn the walls of all who loved him. He had just started learning how to ride his trike and was so proud of his accomplishment. His smile and his big bright eyes could light up a room. That smile was infectious.

He was dedicated by his parents to know, love, and serve the Lord on January 5, 2013 at Celebrate Community Church.

“Braeden, we are certain that as we held you and you closed your eyes here for the last time, you woke up in the arms of Jesus. We know you are more alive in Heaven than you have ever been. Teach Jesus how to line up cars, call horses, and dress paper dolls. Play every day in Heaven until we see you again.”
Love, Mommy & Daddy

Braeden will be deeply missed by his parents, Mike and Christy (Lamis) Anderson; four siblings, Kaleb, Ethan, Daysha, and Emma; Grandparents, Nancy and Jim Volk, Brandon, Karen M. Anderson, Sioux Falls, and Jim and Jan Lamis, Colman; Auntie Kimmie & Uncle John and Uncle James & Shannyn; Great-Grandma Lina Lamis, Sioux Falls; and a large extended family.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Braeden’s memory.

May 2, 1966 ~ May 8, 2013

Daniel Jay Dammer, 47, of Sioux Falls, went to be with Jesus, his Lord and Savior, after losing his battle with Esophageal Cancer on Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls.

Visitation and funeral services will be held at Celebrate Community Church main campus in Sioux Falls at 16th & Sycamore Avenue.

Visitation will be held Monday, May 13, 2013, from 7-9 pm at Celebrate Community Church in Sioux Falls. Funeral services will begin at 11:00am, Tuesday, May 14, at Celebrate Community Church with Pastor Keith Loy officiating. Interment will follow at Hills of Rest Cemetery, Sioux Falls.

Daniel J. Dammer was born on May 2, 1966, in Sioux Falls to Carl and Darlene (Rupkalvis) Dammer. He was raised and educated in Sioux Falls for the entirety of his youth. Dan was a 1984 graduate of Lincoln High School. On June 1, 1985, Dan married his high school sweetheart, Angie Brincks. The two of them met while employed at Kentucky Fried Chicken. Their Holy Union was blessed with 4 beautiful children.

Dan was an avid Nebraska Cornhuskers fan and enjoyed taking his family to Lincoln, NE for a game or simply hosting game day football parties at his home. Dan also enjoyed watching NASCAR races with all of his favorite boys. Dan also cherished the memories made on family vacations; he had a special love for the beach. Trips to Disney World were enchanted moments; he loved to see the magic in his family’s eyes. While in high school, Dan picked up the hobby of photography. This passion carried over into his adult life. Capturing every precious moment was important to him.

Dan spent over 35 years in the restaurant industry. Although food was an important part of the business, his true passion was people. He lived to serve those around him. Being with and enjoying family was a priority to Dan. His love for family extended well beyond his nuclear family. He had a true passion and love for all people. Throughout his many years and positions in leadership, he was always a great mentor and teacher and he always had an ear or shoulder for anyone. His love for people was most apparent through his Caring Bridge site which became a type of daily devotional for many. Through his daily writings, Dan ministered to hundreds and brought many to an initial or renewed relationship with Christ. While battling a daunting foe in cancer, spreading God’s Word became his mission and greatest priority. Dan was recently described as a “giant of a man.” This was true about so many aspects of him. He was large in stature, had enormous love for all people, carried the biggest heart of any man, and was a colossal example of what it meant to live life looking out for others.

Dan will be deeply missed by his lovely wife, Angie (of 27 years in marriage); 4 amazing children – Jacob Dammer, Sioux Falls; Lacey and Jason Gervais, and son Chase, Sioux Falls; Gabriel and Grace Dammer, Sioux Falls; His mom and dad, Carl and Darlene Dammer, Sioux Falls; Angie’s parents, Jerry and Jeannie Brincks, Sioux Falls; three brothers, Todd and Nan Dammer, Sioux Falls; Terry Dammer, Sioux Falls; Russ and Kim Dammer, Parker, CO; half-sister Deb Mofle, Chaska, MN; sister, Aimee and Dan Roehrs, San Antonio, TX; & a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins and precious friends.

May 18, 1940 ~ April 27, 2013

Joseph “Joe” F. Garner, 72, Sioux Falls, died Saturday, April 27, 2013, at the Sioux Falls VA Hospital, from lung cancer.

Visitation will begin at 5 pm, Thursday, May 9, 2013, at Heartland Funeral Home, Brandon, with a Memorial services at 6:30pm. Chaplin Karen Hiller will officiate. Full Military Honors will follow.

Joseph Franklin Garner was born May 18, 1940, in Oklahoma City, OK, to Joseph and Velma (Stewart) Garner. He was one of two boys with four sisters. He was educated in Oklahoma until he left for the service during high school. Joe served in the US Army from 1957 to 1960 as a Medical Specialist, Dental Assistant and Medical Assistant. Joe returned to Gillette, WY when he was honorably discharged from the Army as his family had moved there. Joe worked in the oil fields, was a driver to haul pharmaceuticals from Casper, WY to Billings, MT, a 3,000 mile a week trip.

Joe moved to Sioux Falls in 2003 as he felt it was important for Miriam to be back in South Dakota; at home surrounded by her family. He worked for the last six and a half years at the Casey’s General Store on Sycamore Avenue until he became ill. Joe enjoyed his customers and work very much.

Joe is survived by his loving wife, Miriam, Sioux Falls; one son, Vince, Klamath Falls, OR; two step-sons, Jeff (Rhonda) Whempner and Steve Whempner, both of Phoenix, AZ; one step-daughter, Lisa (Charles) Stotz, Dunkirk, MD; seven step-grandchildren; four sisters, Gwen Sullivan, Pine Haven, WY, Sue De Gaugh, Kay (Les) Haight, and Anita William, all of Gillette, WY; and one brother, Mike (Alvina) Garner, of Gillette, WY.

Joe was preceded by his parents in death.

April 30, 1964 ~ April 26, 2013

Cora Mae Gann, 48, Sioux Falls, died Friday April, 26th 2013, at home surrounded by her family, after an amazing fight with illness.

Visitation will begin at 4 pm, Monday, April 29, 2013, at Heartland Funeral Home with family present from 5 until 8 pm. Funeral services will begin at 11 am, Tuesday, April 30, at Heartland Funeral Home, with Muriel Plooster officiating. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Sioux Falls.

Cora Mae Gann was born on April 30, 1964, in Rock Rapids, IA, to Osey and Dona (Overgaard) Gann. Cora loved life and all the beauty it had to offer. She gave so much passion in the things she believed in. She loved butterflies, birds, trees, antiquing, rummaging, sports and going camping, but her main love was her family and friends.
Cora worked at John Morrell for many years and part time at the arena. She then worked at Lamps and Shades as a warehouse manager and continued helping them with what she could up to the present. Whatever she did in life, she worked very hard at.

There was always excitement in Cora’s smile when she could add to her collection of marbles and Coke items. She loved sharing many of these “treasures” with loved ones. Cora would state that she was twice blessed in life because of the people she shared it with.

Throughout her life and despite her illness, Cora was a role model to all of those who were blessed to know her. She enjoyed the simple beauties in life and loved the motto “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

Cora is survived by her son, Armando (Samantha) Gann; her best friend Beth Connelly and son Travis (Shelbey) Connelly; her foster parents, Jim and Cathy LeDuc, Sioux Falls; five brothers, Tim Gann, TX, Bobbi Gann, TX, Jeff Gann, Sioux City, IA, Charles Gann, Sioux Falls, and Harry Trotter, Sioux City, IA; three sisters, Jeanne Gann, Sioux Falls, Patty Gann, TX, Susie Gann, Sioux City, IA; one sister-in-law, Cammy Bladow; four grandsons who she loved being Grandma to, Damien, Gabriel, Reece and Mathias; Cora emotionally adopted her “girls,” Samantha Ladson and Shelbey Slendy who considered Cora “Mom“. Also special to Cora was the family she found in the Connelly gang, and her Grandsons’ mom, Jamie Gann.

August 13, 1929 ~ April 23, 2013

Kenneth M. Smykle, 83, Valley Springs, died Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls from the effects of Dementia and Lymphoidema.

Visitation will begin at 4pm, Friday, April 26, 2013, at Heartland Funeral Home, with family present from 6:30 to 8pm. Funeral services will begin at 1:30pm, Saturday, April 27, at Heartland Funeral Home with Pastor Richard Gilman officiating. Interment at Beaver Valley Church South Cemetery with full Military Rites will follow.

Kenneth M. Smykle was born August 13, 1929 in Sioux Falls to Art and Dena (Iwerks) Smykle. Along with two sisters, he was raised and educated in Sioux Falls through his sophomore year before he hopped a train and went to Idaho to work in the Forestry Service. In 1947, Ken enlisted in the military to serve in Korea; both in the National Guard and then the Army. Upon his discharge in 1951, he returned to Sioux Falls to work for John Morrell where he worked for 36 years as a meat cutter. Back in 1959, Ken married his sweetheart, Joyce Schnackenbereg in Pipestone MN. They moved to a farm near Chancellor for a while before the family returned to Brandon for 24 years. In 1992, Ken and Joyce purchased and moved to the acreage south of Beaver Valley Church where they still reside. Ken retired at the age of 56 and came home to become the family daycare to grandchildren and his mother-in-law.

Throughout his life, Ken never forgot his patriotic service and duty and was very proud of it. He joined the Sioux Falls VFW and then transferred to Brandon later. He served as the Post Commander and the Quartermaster for Brandon. He also served as the District 2 Commander for SD.

Most of all, Ken enjoyed his family. They spent many weekends together camping with friends from Morrells’ or on hunting trips together. He loved to hunt antelope, deer and pheasant with the boys. He also would bleed blue and orange for the Chicago Bears and cheered on only the Fords of Davey Allison and “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville” Bill Elliott in the Nascar races.

Ken is survived by his wife, Joyce; five children, Clay (Michele) Smykle, Brandon, Deb (Curt) Jasper, Oak Grove, MN, Greg (Yvonne) Smykle, Sioux Falls, Mark (Mindy) Smykle, Akron, IA, and Linda (Joel) Hanson, Valley Springs; twelve grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one sister, Donna Smelser, Sioux Falls.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Troy; one sister, Lillian and two infant children Michael and Kimberley.

December 5, 1946 ~ April 19, 2013

Gene H. Swanson, 66, Valley Springs, died Friday, April 19, 2013, at the Dougherty Hospice Home in Sioux Falls, from the effects of Agent Orange.

Memorial services will begin at 10 AM, Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at Heritage Lutheran Church of Brandon, with Pastors Jerry Merkouris and Richard Gilman officiating. Full Military Honors will follow. Visitation will begin one hour prior. Private inurnment will take place at a later date at Beaver Valley Lutheran Cemetery.

Gene Howard Swanson was born December 5, 1946, in Sioux Falls to Howard and Dorothy (Rollag) Swanson. He was raised and educated in Valley Springs and graduated from Brandon Valley High School in 1964. He then attended USD until his enlistment in the US Army in 1966 for Viet Nam.

Upon his return and discharge in 1968, he resided in California for approximately 3 years. In January 1970, Gene married Reene Van Beek and their first of three children was born soon after. After experiencing a couple of earthquakes, Gene and his family moved back to Valley Springs, where he worked for Bauma Construction and the Brandon Lumber Yard before accepting the city Maintenance Supt. for Valley Springs in 1977. Gene mowed grass and plowed snow for eighteen years before he retired due to health issues. He also served on the Valley Springs Volunteer Fire Dept. for twenty years, including several as Chief. Gene met his sweetheart, Kathy Tupy, and in 1998, they were married at the Beaver Valley Lutheran Church.

Everyone who knew Gene knew he was a constant joker and loved to tease people. He knew everyone’s name around Valley Springs, their kids, and their parents and where they lived and how long they had lived there. Gene was a very active and busy person who loved to read, hunt, fish, golf, follow Nascar, riding and trial racing motorcycles, playing cards and travel. Road trips to Phoenix or anywhere else were a favorite pastime. Gene was also very proud of his service to his country and enjoyed going to Pierre to view the Viet Nam Memorial. His family was his most loved and prized treasure though. Wednesday nights were family night at his home and everyone came to eat dinner and play cards, Trivial Pursuit or Jeopardy together. “Papa” was also a “snuggler” with the kids and grandkids. The treat was to hop into bed with him and cuddle before going to sleep or when they first awoke in the morning. He was also known by the kids for his distribution of chewing gum.

Gene was a Lifetime member of the SD Fire Chief’s Association, Valley Springs Fire Dept, Valley Springs American Legion, V.F.W. Three Rivers Post 4726 of Brandon, and Spirit of Truth Lutheran Church.

Gene is survived by his wife Kathy; five children, Owen (Deanna) Swanson, Valley Springs, Zach Swanson, Currie, MN, Sony (Nate) Swanson, Garretson, Sarah (Donn) Loe, Willmar, MN, and Kevin (Delena) Tupy, Brandon; and twelve grandchildren, Taia, Curtis, Dominik, Danny, Savannah, Tyler, Molly, Gavin, Caitlin, Dustin, Maxwell, and Reyna; one brother-in-law, Larry Lape, Valley Springs; many special nieces and nephews, and one very special friend and second mother to Gene, Etoyle Aljets.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Randy, and one sister, Kathy Lape.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.

November 25, 1929 ~ April 8, 2013

John Nels Geisler, age 83, most recently of Valley Springs, died Monday, April 8, 2013 at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, April 27, 2013, at Messiah Lutheran Church, Murdo, followed by inurnment at the Murdo Cemetery and lunch at Messiah Lutheran.

He was born in Pasadena, CA, November 25, 1929 to Arthur John “Dick” Geisler and Vivian Christine (Petersen) Geisler. He lived with his parents and younger siblings Roma and David in Bell, CA, where A.J. ran a feed store. During his childhood in Bell, John began a life-long love of movies at the three local theaters where admission cost a dime.

In February 1942, the metal rationing of WWII led to the closing of the store in Bell, which had transitioned into selling the latest modern appliances. Leaving the land of sun and palm trees, the family moved to a farm in Blunt, SD during a blizzard. In 1945 the Geisler family moved to Murdo, to operate the John Deere and Chevrolet dealerships; the first of many businesses.

For his high school education, John boarded at Northwestern Lutheran Academy in Mobridge, SD. His college education was interrupted when he served his country as a cryptographer in Korea, in the Army 1903rd Engineer/Aviation Battalion.

After his honorable discharge from the Army in 1953, John collected antique cars from across the Midwest. His father told him, ‘John, you have to do something with those cars’ and in 1954 John, his father, Dick, and brother Dave, opened the Pioneer Auto Museum with 25 cars on display in a single building.

John eventually received his bachelor’s degree from Concordia College in Seward, NE. He held many jobs during his life time: service station attendant, copper mine employee, elementary school teacher, social worker, Pinkerton security guard, postal worker, pilot car driver and antique dealer. He most enjoyed his time in the Army and the years he spent exploring the Midwest on trips to locate antique cars for the museum.

John married Betty (Fortier) Queen November 9, 1965 and gained a daughter, Cathie. Daughter Johanna was born in November 1966. After attending graduate school at the University of Minnesota, John, Betty, and the two girls moved to Murdo to be near family and the Pioneer Auto Museum.

For many years, the family traveled around the United States. John was always on the lookout for antique cars and collectibles to add to the Pioneer Auto collection. In 1985 John and Betty returned to Murdo to live. John loved all sorts of entertainment and public exhibitions, attending canvas-tent circuses and state fairs and concerts. He loved a good meal; any road trip would be planned around restaurants that could be visited along the way. John had a companion beagle by his side for the last 35 years, the most recent being named Martin Luther.

In 2002 John and Betty moved to Sioux Falls and later Valley Springs, SD to be near their daughters and grandsons, and to have access to advanced medical care. Both John and Betty faced a number of health issues in the last decade. Starting in 2009, John went through several rounds of treatment for thyroid cancer. After a brief, acute illness in late December 2012, John entered the hospital and then the hospice program at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Sioux Falls. His family is grateful for the excellent care he received there. He passed away the morning of Monday, April 8, 2013.

John had a strong, but quiet, lifetime relationship with his Lord and Savior. He was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Murdo and attended First Lutheran in Valley Springs.

John is survived by his wife of 47 years, Betty (Fortier) Geisler, Garretson; two daughters, Cathie (Johnnie) Littles of Sioux Falls, Johanna (Mark Dykstra) Geisler, of Valley Springs; three grandsons Corwin and Rune Dykstra of Valley Springs, and Lee Littles of Sioux Falls, sister Roma Bunch of Irvine, CA; brother David A. (Leila) Geisler of Murdo,; nieces Vivian (Jeff) Sonder, Patty (Donald) Tyus, Jennifer (Bryan) Kaiser, Lisa (Larry) Williams, and nephews Eric (Janet) Staudenbaur, and David M. (Ann) Geisler.

John is preceded in death by his parents Arthur John “Dick” Geisler and Vivian Christine (Petersen) Geisler.