Vincent “Vince” C. Bunkers, 95, of Brookings, formerly of Dell Rapids, passed away on Thursday, August 3, 2017. His Memorial Mass will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 7, 2017 in St. Mary Catholic Church, Dell Rapids. Visitation with the family present will be from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 6, 2017 at Kahler Funeral Home with the wake beginning at 4:00 p.m.

Vincent “Vince” Bunkers was born on September 14, 1921 at Dell Rapids, SD, the son of Emil and Leona (Full) Bunkers. He grew up on the family farm near Dell Rapids and attended school at St. Mary School. He graduated in 1940. He enlisted in the US Navy and served in WWII until he was honorably discharged. He returned to Dell Rapids and attended South Dakota State. He married Phyllis Wheeler on June 14, 1946 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Dell Rapids. The couple made their home on the family farm. In 1959 they moved to Alexandria, MN where they owned and operated a summer resort on Lake Miltona. Vince and Phyllis moved back to Dell Rapids in 1966. He was the building inspector for Minnehaha County until his retirement. In retirement, Vince and Phyllis spent their summers at their lake home on Lake Miltona.

Vince was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt, fish and garden. He won a soil conservation award during his farming career for being the first farmer in South Dakota to contour farming. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, the Dell Rapids Sportsman Club and the Dell Rapids American Legion Post.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his four brothers, Harold, Melvin (Geneva), Otto and Yvo and his sister, Lois (George) Schwebach.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Phyllis of Brookings; his children, Sharon (Randy) Ostraat of Buckeye, AZ, Mary (Mike) Campbell of Brandon, Steve (Loreen) Bunkers of Brookings and Anne (Gary) Schwartz of Renner; his brother, Terry (Emily) Bunkers of Buckeye, AZ; his eight grandchildren, five great grandchildren and his many friends and extended family.

Memorials may be directed to St. Mary Catholic Church.

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