Obituary of Elmer Werning

Clayton – Elmer Werning passed away at home on the farm surrounded by his family on January 10, 2024, at the age of 94.  Funeral service will be Monday, January 15 at 1:00 pm, with visitation beginning at 12:30 pm, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church near Clayton.  Arrangements by Koehn Bros. Funeral Home in Parkston.

Elmer was born on September 22, 1929, at the Werning farm near Clayton to Albert Sr. and Hildegard (Guericke) Werning. He attended country school at the Werning School and graduated from the 8th grade. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Clayton. He helped his father on the family farm until he entered the Army in September 1951 and served in the Korean War in Battery A, 75th Field Artillery, Kumhwa, Korea. He was honorably discharged in June 1953. He was awarded the following medals: Korean Service Medal with Three Bronze Service Stars, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Ambassador for Peace Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.

On March 3, 1957, he was united in marriage to Marcella Winter. To this union, three children were born, David, Lois, and Denise. They bought land and started their own farm west of Clayton. Elmer farmed his entire life.

As a lifelong member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, he sang in the choir and held many church offices over the years. Elmer was also a member of the Clayton Township Board and the South Dakota Association of Townships. He also served on the board for Hutchinson Farm Mutual Insurance. He was also a member of the VFW and the American Legion.  In his spare time Elmer enjoyed spending time with his family, hunting, trapping, and fishing.

Grateful for having shared his life are son David Werning, Emery, and daughters Lois Werning and Denise Werning both of Parkston, sisters-in-law Hilda Werning, Alvina Werning, and Linda Werning.

Elmer was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marcella, and all of his siblings: Arthur Werning, Elma (Harold Huber), Marvin Werning, and Albert Werning Jr., sisters-in-law Anita Winter and Geneva (Ervin Winter).