1916
Walter
2010
Walter Giessinger
September 27, 1916 — July 25, 2010
Mass of Christian Burial for Walter John Giessinger, age 93, of Milbank, will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 30, 2010, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank. Father Ken Lulf will be the celebrant. Music will be presented by Nancy Johnson, organist; Leanne Giessinger, soloist; and the St. Lawrence Funeral Choir. Mr. Giessinger died on Sunday, July 25th, at St. William's Care Center in Milbank.
Family members are asked to meet in the church chapel by 10:00 a.m. Friday to attend services. Visitation will be at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank on Thursday from 4-7 p.m., followed by a Scripture service and rosary. Honorary pallbearers will be the staff and residents of St. William's Care Center. Active pallbearers will be Don Wiseman, Greg Giessinger, Alan Schliesman, Sam Folk, Edward Schmidt, and Rod Prasnicki. Burial will be in St. Lawrence Cemetery.
Walter was born on September 27, 1916, on the family homestead in Lockwood Township, Corona, SD. He was the son of Ignatz and Theresa (Lemmer) Giessinger.
He attended rural grade school at Geneseo Township #3, Roberts County, SD.
He was united in marriage with Marie Van Hout, daughter of Peter and Charlotte Van Hout, in Big Stone City, SD, on September 5, 1940.
After their marriage, the couple lived in Milbank where he worked at Valley Queen Cheese Factory for two years before moving to Lockwood Township where they farmed. In 1944 they moved to a farm in Wilmot Lake Township, Roberts County. After two years they bought a farm in Lockwood Township, where they lived until 1976 when they retired from farming, bought a home, and moved to Milbank. They were custodians for St. Lawrence Church and School. Walter continued to be a custodian after Marie's death in 1982. During this time he donated his time remodeling the church hall. He also spent many years building houses in the area with Lenny Fitzner and Stretch Johnson.
Walter was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank. He treasured the time spent with his family, especially the annual event given in his honor, when many relatives and friends came to Milbank for his birthday party and Bunko game. He was always a farmer at heart. After his retirement, his greatest joy was gardening and sharing his produce with many. He enjoyed playing cards with family and friends and was a league bowler for many years.
Walter is survived by his seven children: David and wife Rose, Monmouth, OR; Thomas and wife Irene, Winner, SD; Marilyn Roback and husband Randy, New Hope, MN; Kathleen Jayne and husband Richard, Angels Camp, CA; Kenneth and wife Carolyn, Milbank; Connie Tomala and husband Jody, Nowthen, MN; and Glenn and wife Leanne, Watertown, SD; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great great grandchildren; two brothers, Luke and wife Deve, Clear Lake, SD, and Ignatius (Jack), Denver, CO; one sister, Elizabeth LeMaster, Raymond, MI; six sisters-in-law: Georgette Giessinger and Helen Giessinger, both of Milbank; Mavis Giessinger, St.Cloud, MN; Vi Hansen, Ortonville, MN; Gladys Van Stralen, Milbank; Dorothy Prasnicki and husband Hank, Big Stone City, SD; and Diane Kvidera and husband Vince, Ortonville, MN; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Marie; his infant daughter, Melissa; three brothers; five sisters; and one daughter-in-law.
Family members are asked to meet in the church chapel by 10:00 a.m. Friday to attend services. Visitation will be at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank on Thursday from 4-7 p.m., followed by a Scripture service and rosary. Honorary pallbearers will be the staff and residents of St. William's Care Center. Active pallbearers will be Don Wiseman, Greg Giessinger, Alan Schliesman, Sam Folk, Edward Schmidt, and Rod Prasnicki. Burial will be in St. Lawrence Cemetery.
Walter was born on September 27, 1916, on the family homestead in Lockwood Township, Corona, SD. He was the son of Ignatz and Theresa (Lemmer) Giessinger.
He attended rural grade school at Geneseo Township #3, Roberts County, SD.
He was united in marriage with Marie Van Hout, daughter of Peter and Charlotte Van Hout, in Big Stone City, SD, on September 5, 1940.
After their marriage, the couple lived in Milbank where he worked at Valley Queen Cheese Factory for two years before moving to Lockwood Township where they farmed. In 1944 they moved to a farm in Wilmot Lake Township, Roberts County. After two years they bought a farm in Lockwood Township, where they lived until 1976 when they retired from farming, bought a home, and moved to Milbank. They were custodians for St. Lawrence Church and School. Walter continued to be a custodian after Marie's death in 1982. During this time he donated his time remodeling the church hall. He also spent many years building houses in the area with Lenny Fitzner and Stretch Johnson.
Walter was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank. He treasured the time spent with his family, especially the annual event given in his honor, when many relatives and friends came to Milbank for his birthday party and Bunko game. He was always a farmer at heart. After his retirement, his greatest joy was gardening and sharing his produce with many. He enjoyed playing cards with family and friends and was a league bowler for many years.
Walter is survived by his seven children: David and wife Rose, Monmouth, OR; Thomas and wife Irene, Winner, SD; Marilyn Roback and husband Randy, New Hope, MN; Kathleen Jayne and husband Richard, Angels Camp, CA; Kenneth and wife Carolyn, Milbank; Connie Tomala and husband Jody, Nowthen, MN; and Glenn and wife Leanne, Watertown, SD; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great great grandchildren; two brothers, Luke and wife Deve, Clear Lake, SD, and Ignatius (Jack), Denver, CO; one sister, Elizabeth LeMaster, Raymond, MI; six sisters-in-law: Georgette Giessinger and Helen Giessinger, both of Milbank; Mavis Giessinger, St.Cloud, MN; Vi Hansen, Ortonville, MN; Gladys Van Stralen, Milbank; Dorothy Prasnicki and husband Hank, Big Stone City, SD; and Diane Kvidera and husband Vince, Ortonville, MN; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Marie; his infant daughter, Melissa; three brothers; five sisters; and one daughter-in-law.