Obituary: Floyd Sawvell

Print Obituary

In memory of

Floyd Sawvell

of Wall, South Dakota, died on Sunday, July 4, 2010 at the Clarkson Healthcare Facility in Rapid City at the age of 97

Floyd Edward Sawvell was born in McGregor, Iowa on July 26, 1912, the son of Loda and Katie (Alt) Sawvell. Floyd moved with his parents and two sisters Pearl and Sylvia by immigrant car to the family homestead north of Wall. He attended Sunnyside grade school and helped his father on the farm and drilled water wells.
On September 10, 1934 he married Mildred J. Hildebrandt in Rapid City. He and Mildred moved to their farm north of Wall until 2006 when he moved to the Clarkson Healthcare Facility due to health reasons. Floyd and Mildred were married for 74 years prior to Mildred’s death June 9, 2009.
Floyd was a man of the land, working side by side with his family, and later with his wife and children. For 50 years he raised cattle and drilled water wells for many farms and ranches in the area and farmed north of Wall until he was 90 years old. Floyd worked with the South Dakota Crop Improvement Association to increase winter wheat seed and won many awards for his efforts, and was on the board of directors for several years.
Floyd was always eager to help out a neighbor in need and shared his vast knowledge of farming operations and his equipment. Many a “story” was told at the kitchen table with a pot of coffee brewing.
Floyd was a member of the Wall Methodist Church, Crescent Lodge 210; Naja Shrine Club; Shrine Camping Club; Pennington County Crop Improvement Association.
Grateful for having shared his life include a daughter Cleone McKay of Rapid City; and her daughter Joyce (Randy) Ehlers, and their children Dylan (Melissa) Ehlers, Derrik Ehlers, and Desirae Ehlers; and her son Shaun (Lynn) McKay and their children Sorrel, Bryn, and Jayton. He is also survived by a son Don Sawvell and his wife Marcia of Quinn, and their children Lana (Steve) Ruppert and their daughters Christin Atkins, and her son Mason,; and Dakota Ruppert, and her daughter Haylee; their son Jody (Laniece) Sawvell and their children Casey, Kailey Rae, Camden, and Kassidy; and their son Dale (Jackie) Sawvell and their children Jesse and Kyla; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Floyd was preceded in death by his parents Loda & Katie Sawvell; his wife Mildred; sisters Pearl Thompson and Sylvia Jeppesen, brothers-in-law Norris Hildebrandt, George Thompson and Cliff Jeppesen; one grandson Derryl McKay; and a son-in-law Jim McKay.
Visitation was held 5-7 p.m. Thursday, July 8, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Friday.
Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 9, at the Methodist Church in Wall, with Pastor Sheri Fadley officiating.
Interment was in the Wall Cemetery.
A memorial is established.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Friday, July 9, 2010—10:00 a.m.
United Methodist Church
Wall, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Sheri Fadley
MUSIC
Jody Sawvell
"Amazing Grace"
Shaun McKay - Guitar
Sorrell McKay - Vocalist
“Grandpa”
POEM
Kailey Rae Sawvell
USHERS
Derrik Ehlers - Casey Sawvell
PALLBEARERS
Shaun McKay - Randy Ehlers
Bryn McKay - Jody Sawvell
Doug Dahl - Mike Naescher
INTERMENT WITH MASONIC RITES
Wall Cemetery
Wall, South Dakota

Open the Memorial Folder

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Thursday, July 8, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall.
Funeral services: 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 9, at the Methodist Church in Wall.
Interment: Wall Cemetery.

Sign the guestbook

We are very sorry to learn of Floyd's passing. We had many wonderful visits with Floyd over the years, & always enjoyed his stories. Floyd was unafraid to live life to the fullest with all the gusto he & God could muster. We will always have fond memories of him & Mildred. ~ Joe & Bobbi Woitte Midland (7/4/2010)
My deepest sympathy. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May the Lord Be With You Now and Always. ~ Fawna Geigle Enid, OK (7/4/2010)
Cleone and Don, we are deeply sorry for your loss. Floyd lived a full life and he was waiting to go and be with Mildred. What a wonderful father you had. We enjoyed our many visits with Mildred and Floyd and are camping out with them. We have missed Mildred and now Floyd but we are happy to know that he is now where he has wanted to be with Mildred. We will be at the funeral in Wall. God bless you and your families. ~ Grace and Chuck Childs 4201 Elm Ave. Apt. 312, Rapid City, SD - 57701 (7/4/2010)
Our deepest Sympathy to the Family, our Thoughts and Prayers are with you. ~ Dale & Penny Baumann Quinn, SD (7/4/2010)
Sorry to hear about the passing away of Floyd.
Lord's blessings to you at this time of mourning
and as you move on with a loss of a loved one. ~ Pastor Ray & Patti Greenseth Murdo (7/4/2010)
My deepest sympathy. You are in my thoughts and prayers. ~ Sheryl Sether Hot Springs, SD (7/4/2010)
What a great person and a wonderful family. I will always remember the Sunday get-to-gethers with all the Hildebrandts, Johnson's etc. The hunting times on the farm, the late nights waiting for the folks and Floyd and Mildred to finish their card games. God Bless you folks. I know your great memories of Mom and Dad will help you through this loss. ~ Curt Johnson 3004 Yale Ct. Rapid City, SD 57702 (7/4/2010)
I believe FLOYD SAWVELL was one of the most respected Farmer/Rancher that I have known. I always looked up to him since I was a young boy living in Quinn and still do. The entire Sawvell family must be very proud of him. GOD BLESS ALL. ~ George Tennyson Rapid City, SD (7/4/2010)
Our sympathy to all of you. We enjoyed Floyd's visits and farming techniques. He was valued as a good friend and neighbor ~ Ed &Linda Eisenbraun Rapid City, S.D. (7/4/2010)