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Michael E. Bierwagenof Philip, South Dakota, died on Thursday, August 7, 1986
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Michael Emanuel Bierwagen, better known as "M.E." or "Emanuel", was born August 26, 1898, on his parnets' farm near Delmont, South Dakota, to Ferdinand and Louise (Doering) Bierwagen.
He grew up on his parents' farm and received his education in Delmont.
He was brought to the Lord in Holy Baptism and re-affirmed his baptismal vows and became a communicant member of Zion Lutheran Church of Delmont.
On November 16, 1928, he was united in marriage to Alma Brost at Delmont. In 1929 they moved to the Dan Bierwagen ranch in Haakon County, 10 miles northeast of Milesville, South Dakota. They operated the ranch until retiring and moving into Philip in 1961, and in 1967 they sold their interest in the ranch and livestock to their son, Daniel.
Emanuel was active in organizing the First Lutheran Church of Milesville where he served as an elder for many years. He was presently a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church of Philip and a member of the Lutheran Laymen's League.
He was always interested in state and community affairs and was instrumental in organizing the Haakon County Soil and Water Conservation District, which he was a member for 22 years and chairman for 19 of those years. He served as president of the South Dakota Soil and Water Conservation District Association for three years, was a member of the South Dakota State Weed Board for three years, and was a member of the Haakon PMA Committee.
In 1954 he was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives and served two terms. In 1959 he was appointed by the governor to the South Dakota Water Resources Commission of which he served a number of years and when the Legislature created the South Dakota State Conservancy District, he served as chairman of the board for the first two years.
He was honored to be in Who's Who for South Dakota in 1961. He also served on the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital board for 17 years and was chairman of the building committee when the Philip Nursing Home was built in 1970. He was elected to the Philip City council in 1963 and served for 11 years, and was a director for the Farmers Union Oil company for several years.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Alma, of Philip; one son, Daniel, of Holland, Michigan; four grandchildren, Joel, John, and Lisa Bierwagen, and Beth Kolodziej; one brother, Paul Bierwagen of Valparaiso, Indiana; and a host of other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by one son, Elmer; his parents; three brothers, Bernhard, Walter, and Albert; and one sister, Hedwig Bierwagen.
Services
Monday, August 11, 1986
10:00 a.m.
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
Philip, South Dakota
Officiating
Reverend Ronald Wright
Music
Irene Ringers - Organist
Elvera Moos - Vocalist
Ushers
Dwayne Newman - Dave Hemmingson
Active Pallbearers
Paul Staben - John Staben
Tyrone Moos - Harlan Moos
Mike Albrecht - Johann Ringers
Jim O'Dea - Wendell Seifert
Honorary Pallbearers
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
Interment
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota
Services
Monday, August 11, 1986
10:00 a.m.
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Philip