Obituary of Bernice Agnes Semmler

Parkston – Bernice Agnes Semmler, 86, went to her heavenly home Friday, July 5 at Avera Bormann Manor in Parkston. Funeral service will be Tuesday, July 9 at 10:00 am at Salem Lutheran Church in Parkston. Visitation will be Monday, July 8 from 5 to 7 pm with a 7:00 pm prayer service at Salem Lutheran Church in Parkston. Arrangements by Koehn Bros. Funeral Home in Parkston.

Bernice was born June 7, 1933 to William and Bertha (Mudder) DeVries in Highmore, SD. At a young age, she moved with her family to Tripp, SD. She was united in marriage to Harold J. Semmler on April 5, 1953 at Salem Lutheran Church in Parkston, SD. To this union, 4 children, Joleen, Cheryl, Tim and Terrance, were born. They farmed in Douglas County, SD until October 16, 1965 when Harold died as the result of a farm accident. She married Helmuth "Hank" R. Semmler on July 16, 1967 at St. Peter Lutheran Church near Armour, SD. To this union, 2 children, Tom and Jason, were born. They farmed west of Parkston until Hank's death on June 10, 1985. Bernice stayed on the farm until retiring into Parkston in 1992. Bernice loved spending time with family and friends, was an avid supporter of her grandchildren, Trojan Athletics and was the recipient of the first Trojan Fan of the Year Award. She was also a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Parkston and enjoyed gardening, canning and flowers.

Grateful for having shared her life are her 6 children: Joleen (husband, Randy and children Jeremy, Josh, Jared and Jesse) Erickson of Everett, WA; Cheryl ( husband, Kelly and children Kyle, Travis and Trisha) Langle of Freeman, SD; Tim (wife, Barb and children, Courtney, Tera and Paige) Semmler of Parkston; Terrance (wife, JoLae and children, Austin, Rachel and Ashton) Semmler of Sioux Falls, SD; Tom (wife, Renee and children, Andrew and Miles) Semmler of Parkston; and Jason (wife, Julie and children, Nichole, Matthew, Dawson, Caitlin and Matt) Semmler of Parkston; 12 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters-in-law, Annetta Heckenlaible, Florence Semmler and Laura Semmler; a brother-in-law, Arlington Semmler and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; 2 husbands, Harold Semmler and Hank Semmler; a brother, LaVelle DeVries; and a sister, Alice Baumiller.