PIERRE, SD – Jimmy ‘Jim’ Leroy Uhrig, 89, of Pierre, SD, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 18, 2026, at Avera Maryhouse, surrounded by his family. Visitation will be on Thursday, August 27th from 5:30pm until 7:30pm at Isburg Funeral Chapel in Pierre. Funeral service will be Friday, August 28th at 11:00am at Pierre United Methodist Church, with burial to follow at Riverside Cemetery.

Jim was born to Myron Simon and Bertha Ann (Bockorny) Uhrig on September 4, 1936, in Carson, ND. He was the ninth born of what they called the ‘Dirty Dozen’.

Jim finished the eighth grade and began working with a harvest crew, hauling a combine to Texas, where he got into a little trouble for not having a driver’s license. After returning to South Dakota, he began working for Schultz Construction in Deerfield, SD.

On March 19, 1956, Jim married the love of his life, Marlene Ruth (Scoular). Together, they were blessed with two children, Leroy and Pam.

In 1959, Jim and Marlene moved to Pierre so Jim could work on the construction of the Oahe Dam. He worked on the dam from 1959 until its completion.

After finishing at Oahe Dam, Jim worked for Western Construction for many years. His work took him to Yankton and to communities across South Dakota, as well as West Virginia, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Texas. Some of his projects included working on Gavins Point Dam and at Ellsworth Air Force Base, where he helped pour a new runway for the B-1 bombers. He finished his working years in Burwell, Nebraska.

Jim later worked for Allstate Construction for a few years and then spent several years working for a gravel company in Pierre. After retiring, Jim began two new careers that he truly enjoyed—gardening and bicycle riding.

Jim was also an active member of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 49, based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Jim will be remembered for his hard work, dedication to his family, and the many years he spent building a life filled with family, work, and the things he loved.

Jim is survived by his children LeRoy (Vicki) Uhrig and Pam Middleton both of Pierre, SD. His grandchildren Shelby (Chad) DeVries of Sioux Falls, SD, Chad (Amy) Uhrig of Ft. Pierre, SD, Deserae (Art) Flaaen of Pierre, SD, Ross (Jana) Uhrig of Pierre, SD. His great grandchildren Corbin, Austin (Adria), Reece, Sydney, Gable, Jace, Finn, Andi, Dalton, Paige, Temperance, Tor, Sterling and Boone. His brother Bill (Tina) Uhrig of Lincoln, NE and brother-in-law Eugene Scoular of Pasadena, CA

Jim is preceded in death by his wife Marlene, his parents Myron and Bertha, his grandson Thomas ‘Tom’ Middleton his father and mother-in-law William ‘Thomas’ and Ruth Irene, his brothers Edmond ‘Ed’ (Dolly) Uhrig, Henry ‘Hank’ (Sissy) Uhrig, John Uhrig, Marion ‘Mike’ (Sarah) Uhrig, Elton ‘Al’ (Agnes ‘Aggie’) and Alfred ‘Skeeze’ Uhrig, his sisters Elaine ‘Sis’ (Bud) O’Donnell, Joan ‘Babe’ Russell (Sharp), Shirline ‘Tootie’ (Ron) Piekkola and Myra Jane ‘Baby’ (Larry) Licking and his brothers-in-law Duane (Marie) Scoular, Ralph (Hazel) Scoular, Harold (Irene) Scoular and sisters in law Janet Welch and Betty (Paul) Coddington and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

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