Leo J. Payer, 86, of Lake Andes, died Monday, Sept. 28, 2015, at Avera St. Benedict Hospital in Parkston.
Funeral services were Saturday, Oct. 3, at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Lake Andes with burial in St. Mark’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation was Friday, Oct. 2, at the church with a wake service.
Leo J. Payer was born on Nov. 17, 1928, to Peter and Mary (Carda) Payer on the family farm in Charles Mix County and attended White Swan No. 7 Country School. He helped build Fort Randall Dam in Pickstown. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953, and during that time, he earned two Bronze Service Stars and the United Nations Service Medal.
Leo married Shirley Petrik on April 6, 1953, at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Lake Andes. He farmed in the Lake Andes area his entire life, beginning with horses and then using modern machinery. He served on White Swan Township’s board and the White Swan No. 7 School Board, St. Mark’s Parish Council, was VFW Post 3239 Commander and Knights of Columbus Grand Knight. He was on ASCS committees and the election board for nine years. He was a member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Lake Andes and the American Legion. Leo enjoyed touring the 50 states, traveling abroad and meeting and visiting with anyone.
Leo is survived by his wife, Shirley of Lake Andes; five children, Raymond Payer of Warner, Janet (Tom) Carda of Woonsocket, Rodrick (Jeanne) Payer of Lake Andes, Todd (Norma) Payer of Lennox and Thomas (Sheila) Payer of Armour; one brother, Eugene Payer of Lake Andes; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Henrietta Nelson, Margene Weber and Darlene Kocer; and grandson, Shawn Carda.
Arrangements were with Koehn Bros. Funeral Home in Lake Andes.