Wesley C. Lunstrum, 94

Wesley Carl Lunstrum, 94, of Sioux Falls, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. Visitation with the family present will be held from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022 at George Boom Funeral Chapel, Brandon. Memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022 at Celebration United Methodist Church, Brandon.

Wesley was born on Jan. 26, 1928 to Carl and Helen (Robinson) Lunstrum in Redfield, S.D. The family made their home northeast of Redfield, where he attended country schools through the eighth grade. He then attended Redfield High School, graduating in 1946. After graduation, he continued farming with his father. That summer, Wes met Sally Wilson at a summer band practice in Redfield. They were married in 1950 and went on to have three children, Clark, Claudia, and Chara.

Wesley was a member of the SD Army National Guard for six years, with two years of active duty in Anchorage, Alaska, at the rank of Master Sergeant. Sally was pregnant when they deployed, and Wes being the adventurous type, decided to pull a trailer (in October) from Redfield to Anchorage for them to live off base. It was quite an excursion.

Wes loved working with the soil, building and fixing things. He always enjoyed seeing how things worked and could fix most anything. He was very proficient at using a torch and welder. He also enjoyed boating, waterskiing, fishing (especially with grandkids), music, dancing, and travelling the U.S. and Canada. Family was very important to Wes. Camping, birthday parties, and holidays with his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids were treasured highlights.

Wesley was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church. He was involved in many organizations while on the farm including Jaycees, NFO, PTA, and township board just to name a few. While president of the Jaycees, he spearheaded the effort to build the Redfield swimming pool that still exists today. Wes and Sal made lifelong friends wherever they lived or traveled. 

Though he loved farm life, in 1985, Wes and Sal sold the farm and moved to Rapid City, S.D. to find other work. Wes was head of maintenance at Rapid Packaging until his retirement. Following retirement in 1998, Wes and Sal purchased a big fifth-wheel and pickup and went on the road full time, wintering in the South and summering at Hart Ranch in the Black Hills. After 10 years of adventurous travel, they settled back in Rapid City for another six years before heading back to the east side of the state in 2014.

Wesley was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Helen; brother, Sanford; sister, Eleanor, and grandchild, Daniel Baney.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years Sally, son, Clark (Cherie) Lunstrum of Redfield; daughter, Claudia (Tom Mose) Lunstrum of Sioux Falls, and daughter, Chara (Andrew) Dickhaut of Sioux Falls. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Bryce Durfee, Trina (Steve) Volk, Carin Stoker, Shelby (Ryan Postma) Durfee, Trenton (Stephanie) Lunstrum, Maranda (Scott) Pogany, Samantha Baney, Austin Dickhaut, Alicia Mose, Brittany (Lucas) McClelland, Becca Lunstrum, Leah Lunstrum; and 12 great grandchildren.

For online condolences, visit georgeboom.com.

 

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The Brandon Valley Journal

 

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