ONIDA, SD –

Jerald “Woody” Stahl, 88, of Onida, passed away on January 9, 2024. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30am, Saturday, January 20, 2024 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Onida with interment following at Onida Cemetery. Visitation will be held the evening prior, 5:00-6:00pm, Friday, January 19, 2024 at Feigum Funeral Home in Pierre, concluding with a Prayer Service at 6:00pm.

Jerald “Woody” Dean Stahl was born on June 10, 1935, twelve miles east of Onida, SD, at the old Schieckoff Place, to Paul “Luke” H. and Susie (Pullman) Stahl. Woody was the youngest of five surviving children: Willard, Bernette, Francis, and Albin. His mother, Susie, passed away from breast cancer when he was three years old and living in Onida at the time. Woody went to live with his Uncle John and Aunt Mary (Pullman) Hofer on their farm east of Onida, and Luke moved the rest of the family to Yale, SD. After a couple of years, Luke brought Woody back to Yale to live. He attended Yale School for the 1st & 2nd grades, Milford for the 3rd & 4th grades, then back to Yale, where he graduated from Yale High School in 1953. After graduation, he returned to work at John and Mary Hofer’s for four months before returning to Yale and working at Armour Meat Packing Plant from September to January 1954.

On January 13, 1954, Woody enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He chose this branch of service for their discipline and action. After graduation from basic training, he received an additional four weeks of infantry training. Woody was incredibly proud to have been a Marine Corps rifleman. After training, he was sent to Japan for nine months and then to Okinawa, where he participated in island-hopping for several months. Woody was honorably discharged in January 1956.

Woody came back to Yale after serving in the Marine Corps. His brother Francis brought him back to Onida, where he worked for Peavey Lumber and Baxter Chemical. A few years later, Francis started a Mobil gas station on Onida’s main street, where Woody came to work for him. They moved to a station out on US 83 on the west side of Onida. Woody operated the Mobil station for 25 years and then Sinclair until retiring in 2011, running the station for 53 years. Woody and Barb operated a 9-stool coffee shop and cafe that was added to the station’s south side until brother Albin built the Fireside Restaurant and Lounge in 1978.

On October 10, 1959, Woody married Barbara Jo Christensen in her hometown of Dell Rapids, SD. They made their home in Onida until Woody passed away. To this union, six children were born: Billy Wayne, Steven Dean, Scott Joe, Bryan Scott, Jon Paul, and Amy Lynn. Steven (1961) and Scott (1963) died in infancy.

Woody took great pride in his family and instilled a strong work ethic in his children. He was a life-long fixture in Onida and took pride in his business and caring for people. Each of his children worked at the station during their childhood, learning and gaining valuable life experience. Woody believed money couldn’t buy that kind of knowledge, only hard work!

Blessed to have shared in his life, Woody is survived by his wife of 64 years, Barbara; sons, Sully County Sheriff Bill Stahl (Suzanne), Bryan Stahl (Lori), SDHP Captain Jon Stahl (Cathy), Amy Jones (Kevin); and daughter-in-law Susie Stahl. Grandchildren Joseph Stahl, Chelsea Lalonde, SDHP Trooper Karlea Larson, Alyssa Stahl, Brandon Schlim, Payton Jones, Addison Jones, Christopher Schlim and Jeremy Schlim. Great grandchildren, Charlotte Ann Lalonde and Bennett Melvin Larson and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Norma (Francis) and Helen (Albin).

He was preceded in death by infant sons Steven and Scott, his parents Paul H. and Susie Stahl, Barb’s parents, Chris and Gertrude Christensen, and siblings Albin Stahl, Willard Stahl, Bernette and Leo Waltner, and Francis Stahl.

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