Obituary of Herbert Melvin Geidel

Parkston – Herbert Melvin Geidel joined the Church Triumphant on Thursday, March 5, 2020, at Avera St. Benedict Hospital in Parkston, SD at the age of 90. Funeral service will be Wednesday, March 11 at 10:30 am at Immanuel Lutheran Church near Dimock. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 10 from 5 to 7 pm with a 6:30 pm prayer service at Immanuel Lutheran Church near Dimock. Arrangements by Koehn Bros. Funeral Home in Parkston.

Herb was given life by his Creator and was born on April 2, 1929, the child of Oswald and Bertha (Olawsky) Geidel at his parents’ home in Douglas County, SD. On April 21, 1929, he received the gift of Holy Baptism and became a child of God. On June 20, 1943, he publicly confessed his faith and was confirmed by Rev. Hempel. He then received the precious gift of Christ’s Body and Blood. Herb attended Washington Township #28. After 8th grade he worked with his father on the farm. He obtained his GED while in the service. He married Margaret Wegehaupt on June 17, 1951 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Dimock, SD. Together they farmed west of Parkston on the family farm. In November 1951, Herb was drafted into the Army, with basic training in Fort Riley, Kansas. In April, he left for the Korean War serving overseas in Germany. He returned to the farm in November of 1953. Herb was also secretary/manager for Douglas Farm Mutual Insurance and elected as President for SDMAIC in 1988. In 2006 Herb and Margaret moved from the farm to an apartment in Parkston, SD. In November of 2019, they moved to Avera Bormann Manor, Parkston, SD. Herb was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, taught Sunday school and adult Bible classes, coached the church baseball team and served on a variety of church boards. He also served on various SD District LCMS task forces, was delegate to the SD District and Synodical LCMS conventions and LLL SD District president for two terms. He also served on various county and township boards. Herb enjoyed making photo albums for each family member, playing cards, and spending time with family.

He is survived by his children, Dianne (Clyde) Graumann, Rapid City, SD, Beverly (Kenneth) Soyk, Parkston, SD, Timothy Geidel, Parkston, SD, Paul (ShiMei) Geidel, Eureka, MO, Mark (Anne) Geidel, Seward, NE, Peggy Rands, Seward, NE; 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; sister Agnes Reimnitz, sister-in-law Helen Geidel, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Oswald and Bertha, wife, Margaret, young sister Erna, brother Elmer, sisters Alvina Neugebauer and Anita Neugebauer, brothers and sisters-in law, Lorenz Neugebauer, Bernhard Reimnitz, Albert Neugebauer, Robert and Anita Wegehaupt, Arthur Wegehaupt, George and Ruth Wegehaupt, Melvin Wegehaupt, Lawrence and Adeline Storm, and Rose Wegehaupt.

Memorials would be preferred in lieu of flowers and may be directed to Main Street Living, Good News Journal (PO Box 76, Defiance, MO 63341), or Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch.