PIERRE, SD – Clinton G. Schimkat, 87, of Pierre, SD, passed away in his home February 2, 2026, in the loving hands of his family.

Memorial visitation will be on Monday, February 9, 2026, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, with a prayer service beginning at 7:00pm at Isburg Funeral Chapel in Pierre. A memorial service will take place at 11:00am on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at Faith Lutheran Church in Pierre. His service will be live streamed on his obituary page on Isburg Funeral Chapel’s website.

Clint was the firstborn child of Arthur Schimkat and Ann (Hofer) Schimkat and made his appearance into this world on July 19,1938, in Scotland, SD. His early childhood was spent moving around the country while his father worked for various construction companies. In 1946, they settled in Sully County where his father formed his own construction company building stock dams and roads. Eventually the couple and their two boys, Clint and Jerry, built a home in Pierre, SD. Clint graduated from TF Riggs High school in 1956. He attended college at the University of South Dakota and earned a degree from Northern College in 1963. After college he enrolled in the Air National Guard and was an active member from 1963-69.

During his teenage and college years he began working beside his father and soon became the superintendent of Schimkat & Son Construction Company. While on a job building a road near Selfridge, ND, he met the love of his life, Ruby Walker. He was a busy man but found plenty of time to court Ruby. He would pilot the company plane to shorten his travel times and literally swept her off her feet! Clint and Ruby married on a miserably hot July day in 1960. They continued to move with the construction business, building highways and interstates throughout South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Colorado. Daughter Jill was born in 1965 so the young family decided to establish their roots in Pierre. In 1974, the decision was made to liquidate the construction company. Daughter Jana was born in 1975. Clint continued to work construction jobs then soon purchased the W Bar S western store and worked on Main Street, Pierre. The retail business changed, leading to their closure in 1990. In 1988, Oahe Storage was built. Clint enjoyed the customers that would visit the store, and numerous friends and clients that would stop by the storage office for a visit.

Clint and Ruby were both raised in rural America but neither were involved much with livestock other than milk cows and chickens. That all changed when Jill came along. The horse crazy girl started the family down the rodeo road with younger sister Jana in tow. Clint, Ruby and the girls learned the ropes together. They spent weekends traveling to horse shows, play days, 4-H and high school rodeos, enduring various weather conditions from heat and dust to rain, mud, hail, and even blizzards. Clint was so proud of his girls and the successful careers they built around horses. He signed every card, “Your Best Boyfriend”. But nothing would top his pride for his only grandchild, Jana and Paul’s son, twelve year old, Laken. He carries on the family tradition, working alongside his parents training and selling horses while winning buckles and saddles!

Clint enjoyed an occasional hunting trip but wasn’t an avid hunter. All the bird dogs the girls had over the years were more content being his spoiled grand dogs than flushing pheasants. The only elk he ever brought home was a glass figurine. The fish were safe too because floating around on the pontoon drinking beer was his idea of fishing.

He will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 65 years, Ruby, Jill Schimkat Moody (Wayne Deal) and Jana (Paul) Griemsman, grandson Laken, brother Jerry Schimkat, and all his extended family and friends. Clint’s legacy will live on in hearts and memories of those who loved him.

Clinton was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Ann Schimkat, infant brother Alan, in-laws George Jr. and Alvina Walker, and sister-in-law Renae Walker

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