Obituary of Dwight D. Hempel

Lake Andes – Dwight D. Hempel, 83, went to his heavenly home Monday, July 22, 2024 at Lake Andes Healthcare Center.  Funeral service will be Saturday, July 27 at 10:00 am at Koehn Bros. Funeral Home in Lake Andes with burial to follow in Pleasant Lawn Cemetery in Geddes.

Dwight was born March 1, 1941 to Albert and Rose (Fiala) Hempel in Parker, SD.  He attended country school near Geddes, SD through the 8th grade and graduated from Geddes High School.  He entered the United States Air Force on October 1, 1961 and served his country until being honorably discharged on December 13, 1962.  Dwight helped at the Pheasant Tap in Lake Andes, SD before going to work for the maintenance department of the Corp of Engineers in Pickstown, SD.  He retired after nearly 40 years and at that time was the Senior Mechanic.  In retirement, a lifelong goal that Dwight accomplished was to learn how to fly.  He attended flight school with Wright Brothers Aviation in Mitchell, SD and earned his pilot’s license.  A part of this was solo flights, landing and taking off in many surrounding towns in South Dakota and nearby states.  He took his brother up on several occasions and they greatly enjoyed the thrill of flying!  He was a lifelong member of the Pickstown American Legion and enjoyed music, fixing things and traveling to historic places.  He was well known for being so kind and always upbeat, cheerful and hospitable.  He would do all that he could to help family and friends. 

He is survived by several nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Richard Hempel; and a sister, Donna Jedlicka.