Obituary: Reuben Deutscher

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In memory of

Reuben Deutscher

of Wall, South Dakota, died on Saturday, January 27, 2007 at the Beverly Healthcare Bella Vista in Rapid City at the age of 87

Reuben O. Deutscher was born March 24, 1919, in Redig, South Dakota, in Harding County, the fourth of eight children born to John and Emma (Schumacher) Deutscher. He grew up in Harding County, and graduated from Buffalo High School.

He enlisted in the United States Army on September 20, 1940 and served with the 161st Infantry Battalion. He was discharged on October 22, 1941. He worked at Boeing Airline for about a year. He reenlisted on September 29, 1942. While in the service he attended Spearfish Normal College, and took pilot training courses. He was honorably discharged on July 10, 1943.

Reuben was united in marriage to Helen Juelfs on April 10, 1943, in Spearfish, South Dakota. After their marriage they operated his brother-in-law’s farm in Ralph, South Dakota, until moving south of Wall in 1946, where they farmed and ranched until 2000. They continued to reside on the ranch all their married life.

Reuben was a member of the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Wall, served on the Wall School Board, served as a director and chairman of West River Electric, and a member of the Carroll-McDonald American Legion Post #246 of Wall.

Grateful for having shared his life include his wife Helen of Wall; a son Charles Deutscher and his wife Bonnie of Wall; a daughter Roxy Hunter and her husband Gene of Rapid City; three grandchildren Evan Deutscher and his wife Stacy of Wall, Leslie Merrill and her husband Shawn of Wall, and Dana Namken and her husband Keith of Watertown; four great-grandchildren Savanna, Samantha and Searra Sioux Deutscher and Tearra Merrill; a brother-in-law Don Wagner of Ralph; a sister-in-law Mary Dean Percy of Rapid City; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Reuben was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers Herbert, Reynold, Edward, Arnold "Bud" and Richard Deutscher; and two sisters Leah Wagner and Kathy Deutscher.

Visitation was held from 5:00 p.m .to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 29, at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Wall, with a scripture service at 7:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial was held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 30, at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Father Leo Hausmann as celebrant and Father Dan Juelfs and Father Kerry Predeville as con-celebrants.

Interment with military honors by the Carrol-McDonald American Legion Post #246 of Wall, and the F.J. Willuweit VFW Post #9120 of Quinn, was in the Wall Cemetery.

A memorial is established to the Alzheimer’s Support Group and the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Wall.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Tuesday, January 30, 2007 10:00 a.m.
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church
Wall, South Dakota

CELEBRANT
Father Leo Hausmann

CON-CELEBRANTS
Father Dan Juelfs
Father Kerry Prendeville

MUSIC
Rita and Gene Patterson
Myron Williams
"Amazing Grace"
"I Am The Bread Of Life"
"How Great Thou Art"

USHERS
Mike Erz – Dennis Schone

PALLBEARERS
Jim Talty – Don Jobgen
Dean Wagner – Casey McMillian
Sig Lehrkamp – Dale Hochhalter

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT WITH MILITARY HONORS
Wall Cemetery
Wall, South Dakota
Carroll-McDonald American Legion Post #246
F.J. Willuweit V.F.W. Post #9120

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Tuesday, January 30, 2007 10:00 a.m.
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church
Wall, South Dakota

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We are sorry to hear of your loss. Your in our thoughts and prayers. ~ Roy Shull Family Rapid City, Sd 57702 (1/27/2007)
The Reuben Deuscher Family-
I am so sorry for your loss. These times are inevitable in life but never easy.

All my memories of attending St. Patrick's, Helen and Reuben were always there. They both always carried such a presence. I guess that is why I still have such strong memories of them in the church.

I remember once when I was a kid and asked Mom and Dad who those two were and what they did. They told me their names and stated that they were good strong and stable people and ranched south of Wall. Those comments have never escaped me.

I am sorry for your loss and you have my deepest sympathy. The community has definitely lost an important individual.

Kari R. Welsh ~ Kari R. Welsh Anchorage, AK (1/27/2007)
Charles and Bonnie...our sympathy to you and the rest of your family upon the passing of your loved one. He is at rest at last. May you be lifted and carried through this trying time in the love and comfort of God.
Your friends from the Rapid City Hospital way back in 1981. ~ dakrose@gwtc.net . (1/27/2007)
Helen, Chuck and Bonnie and family, Roxie and Gene
We would like to express our sympathy to your family. Time has gotten away from us. We have been going to go down through your area and haven't made it. Your dad was always so thoughtful. He pulled us out of the ditch at least once during our travels to school. As I am going through Grandma Heinrich's photographs I have found some pictures of Chuck and my cousin in front of Grandpa and Grandma's house at Custer way back when.
Hope to get with you soon.
Memories are forever.
Don and Carol Bradeen and family ~ Don and Carol Bradeen 5995 Reservoir Road, Rapid City, SD 57703 (1/27/2007)
We are very sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. ~ Bruce and Lynn Dunker & Family Wall, SD (1/27/2007)
Chuck & Bonnie,
My sympathy to your whole family. I just found out about Reuben's passing.
I know my mom really enjoyed Reuben's visits when she would allow him to come in! She would sure smile at him! He was 1 fellow she wouldn't get mad at for coming in her room. It was nice they knew each other in their "own" world, mind. I know he must have missed his wife because he so cared for all the women who would cry or be upset. He would sit beside them, rub their hands, try to talk to them as if it was ok, whatever was wrong. He will truly be missed at Bella Vista, I think, for the comfort he put forth to the little ol` ladies.
He will be deeply missed by your family but is at "home" in a very healthy body and mind.
God Bless you and yours.
Carol ~ Carol Barber P.O. Box 40, Wall, SD (1/27/2007)
Roxie & family. Sorry to hear about your father. We know he is in a better place. My prayers for you & your family. ~ Connie Richards (Clements) Cedar Rapids, IA (1/27/2007)
. ~ Rae Crowser Casa Grande, AZ (1/27/2007)