Herbert “Herb” Stelzer, 88, of Sioux Falls, passed away on Friday, November 11, 2016 at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls. His funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at First Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at Kahler Funeral Home in Dell Rapids. Visitation with the family present will resume on Tuesday at Miller Funeral Home (Downtown Location) from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Herbert Herman Stelzer was born at home to Martin and Emma (Scheidt) Stelzer on September 20, 1928 at Marion, South Dakota where he was raised and attended school until the family moved to a South Dakota farm near Jasper, Minnesota. He worked at various farm jobs until joining the U.S. Marines in 1950. On November 27, 1950, while home on leave, he was united in marriage with Beverly Gerry. The couple moved to California. Herb served in the Korean War until September 12, 1953, when he was discharged at the rank of Sergeant. His Purple Heart was awarded to him 36 years later.

Herb and his family moved back to South Dakota where he worked in Sioux Falls for a time; but he and Bev decided to return to California where he worked at various carpentry and implement dealership jobs. They moved their growing family to South Dakota in 1962 where, after a brief time in the auto service industry, he became employed at Du-Al Manufacturing Company. The couple moved to Dell Rapids with their family in 1964. During his years in Dell Rapids, every Saturday he helped his brother, Ervin (Sonny) on the family farm near Jasper, MN. Beverly passed away on June 27, 1978. Herb married Kathy Harms at Community Reformed Church in Sioux Falls on March 8, 1980. Residing in Sioux Falls, Herb retired from Du-Al Mftg. Co. on December 31, 1989, after working there a combined 26 years. Until 1995, he worked part time for Bormann Construction Company in his retirement.

Herb was a member of First Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. He was also a member of the Dog Seven Association, a division of Marines who served in Korea. In addition to yearly reunions throughout the U.S. with fellow Marines, he and Kathy  hosted one of those reunions in the Black Hills of South Dakota in 2003. He was also a member of the VFW and the Military Order of the Purple Heart. He restored Allis Chalmers tractors, his 1953 Ford Truck, cars, built equipment and carpentry. His family was always a special priority. Herb especially enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was a member of Pheasants Forever and Duck Unlimited. Gardening saw hi growing giant pumpkins. His constant companion for many retirement years was his dog, Lucky. Some of his nick names were: Eagle Eye, Hub, Short Round and Haw, and he always had a joke or one liner.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy of Sioux Falls; his daughter, Vicki Kennedy of Dell Rapids; his three sons, Joel of Sioux Falls, Mark (Kim) of Jackson, WY and Dana of Dell Rapids; his two brothers, Ervin (Ida) of Sioux Falls and Arthur of Sioux Falls; his seven grandchildren, Brady Bunkers, Melissa (Clint) Schull, Brooke Bunkers, Jaime Puttmann and Jon Puttmann, Christina Hegge, Alice Stelzer and Joseph Stelzer; and his 11 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Beverly and siblings, Elsie Larson, Robert Stelzer and Norma Anderson.

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