Elmer Alvin Engbrecht

Elmer A. Engbrecht, age 84, of Volin, South Dakota, passed away peacefully on July 25, 2026, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Visitation will be held at Riverview Reformed Church in Yankton, South Dakota at 12:00 PM on Friday, July 31, 2026, followed by the funeral service at 1:00 PM, with Reverend David Reck officiating. Burial will be in West Vermillion Cemetery in Marion, South Dakota. Arrangements are under the direction of the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home in Yankton, South Dakota.

Elmer A. Engbrecht was born October 7, 1941, in rural Marion, South Dakota, to Peter and Rosellla (Ortman) Engbrecht. He grew up on the farm near Marion and graduated from Marion High School in 1959. He moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota and started working at Coleman Manufacturing which began his lifelong career in welding. He married Eleanor Gulling on October 13, 1962, in Sioux Falls and together they raised three children: Julie, Jackie, and Tammy. In 1977, Elmer moved to Yankton, South Dakota, and worked for TCI which later became Gehl Manufacturing until his retirement in 2013. While he was working for Gehl he also stayed busy mowing four different cemeteries in the Yankton area, which he continued into his retirement until 2019.

Elmer found joy in life’s simple pleasures. He loved spending time fishing, gardening, tending to his cats, ducks, and geese, and enjoyed the outdoors. Those who knew him will remember him as a kind, generous, and easygoing man who was always willing to lend a helping hand.

Elmer faithfully attended Riverview Reformed Church in Yankton, where he found fellowship, friendship, and spiritual encouragement.

Survivors include his three daughters: Julie (Dwayne) Cap of Yankton; Jackie Bina of Austin, Minnesota; and Tammy (David) Tims of Yankton; six grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Rosella Engbrecht; sister, Inez Engbrecht and son-in-law, Walter Bina.