Vernon Schenkel

Vernon Schenkel, 80, passed away Friday, October 25, 2013 at Sister James Nursing Home in Yankton. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at Martinus Lutheran Church, rural Utica with Pastor Dean Schroeder officiating. Burial will be at Garden of Memories Cemetery, Yankton with Military graveside rites by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791 Honor Guard and the SDARNG Honor Guard. Visitation will begin at 5:00 PM, Tuesday, at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton, with a Scripture service at 7:00 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Vernon was born December 29, 1932 to Wilhelm and Sarah (Diede) Schenkel in rural Yankton County. He was born and raised on the family farm and lived in Yankton County throughout his lifetime. He worked with his dad on the farm until his marriage on April 10, 1955 to Minnie Carter of Yankton. In August of 1955 he was drafted into the army and left for basic training in Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. He was then transferred to Fort Knox, Kentucky and in June of 1956 got orders to go to Germany. Minnie joined him a few months later. In June of 1957 he and Minnie returned to the U.S on the same ship. He arrived home exactly one year from the day he shipped out. After his discharge they returned to South Dakota and moved to their own farm, which his dad arranged for them to buy. Vernon and Minnie had five children and lived on the farm from 1957 to 1980. In June of 1980, they bought the parsonage of Martinus Lutheran Church. In addition to farming, he found time to do trenching, electrical and plumbing work at home and in the neighborhood. He was a very handy man. Because of many health issues Vernon and Minnie moved in to Yankton in the fall of 2012. He is survived by his wife, Minnie; children Chris Dobson of Minnetonka, MN, Andy (Linda) of Albuquerque, NM, Jim (Donna) of Brandon, SD, Cathy (John) Wieseler of Yankton, and Bill from Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren Carolyn (Dan Hanner) Fuerst; Melissa (Chad) Boetger; Amy Kelly, Lee (Maggie) Schenkel; Caitlin Schenkel; Kevin, Amber, and Adam Schramm; Dillon and Allison Schenkel; Tyrel and Carissa Wieseler; Jerod (Marie) Sparks and Jenni Sparks; great grandchildren Christopher, Kaycie and Jonathan Boetger and Hunter Sparks. He is also survived by siblings Alan (Lillian) Schenkel, Darlene (Filmore) Mutschelknaus and Wilma (Warren) Luke, sisters-in-law Beryl Bowlin, Ruth (Luis) Macias, Ethel (Gary) Jorgensen, Marilyn (Dave) Tice, brothers-in-law Doug Carter, and Mike (Bernadette) Carter, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. He loved many things - farming, being outdoors, fixing things, playing pinochle, (especially when he won!), visiting, and teasing people. His faith and Martinus church were very important to him. He dearly loved his family and friends, camping, fishing, hunting, his backhoe and pickup, country music festivals, TV westerns, salted nut rolls, filling cake and cinnamon twists. He lived a full, rich life and will be greatly missed.