Gary Feller | 1935 - 2023
Obituaries-Pierre / Posted Sep 26, 2023 | 8:50 AM / 351 views
HARROLD, SD –
Gary Lee Feller, 88, of Harrold, passed away Thursday, September 21, 2023, at Avera Maryhouse in Pierre, SD surrounded by family.
Memorial visitation will be on Sunday, October 15th from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Isburg Funeral Chapel, with a prayer service and masonic rites beginning at 6:00 pm. A funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Monday, October 16th at the Harrold Auditorium.
Gary was born on March 10, 1935, in Pierre, SD, to Wilfrid and Gladys (Beals) Feller. He and his five brothers grew up on the family farm and attended grade school at Sunshine Rural School near the home place 15 miles south of Harrold in Snake Butte Township. After graduating from Harrold High School in 1953, he worked on the family farm until he was 21. He then spent two years working in the diversion tunnels as part of the Oahe Dam construction. Gary then joined the South Dakota National Guard and worked for Pete Reding after being honorably discharged in 1962. He went on to farm and ranch his entire life on the place where he grew up. In 1959, Gary married Barbara LaFurge and to this union four children were born, three sons: Bill, Jim, Wayne and one daughter Rebecca.
Gary was a lifetime member and a fifty-three-year member of Lily AF & AM Lodge #62, of Harrold.
Gary was a lifelong rancher who believed in hard work and constantly staying busy. He worked and moved cattle by horseback until his body wouldn’t allow it. When he wasn’t doing chores, with the help of his tractor riding cat, Mousetrap, he enjoyed competing with his favorite ranch horse, Red at play days for the Oahe Riding Club, where he won numerous riding club buckles. During the summer, he found time to help his kids with 4-H livestock projects, attend rodeos and enter his restored John Deere tractor in local parades. He loved attending and socializing at farm auctions, collecting and restoring antiques, finding perfectly round or heart shaped rocks for the grandkids and creating horse collar mirrors. Later in life he spent time visiting friends and family, playing Pinochle, traveling with friends and maintaining a healthy herd of barn cats.
Gary is survived by his sons: Bill (Heather) Feller, Jim (Nancy) Feller all of Blunt Wayne (Kamie) Feller of Harrold and daughter Rebecca Feller of Pierre; 11 grandchildren and six soon-to-be seven great grandchildren: Lonnie (Mellissa) Feller and their children Wylder and Sawyer; Stetson (Natalie) Feller and their son Forrest; Tiera (Jalen) Lamb and their children Layla and Vance; Dakota (Sal) Scavo; Reed (Kylynne) Feller and a baby on the way; Clay Feller; Lane (Kari) Feller and their son Wesley; Chancey (Wyatt Leesman) Feller; Blake (Sam Longbrake) Feller; Sydney Uhrig and Gable Uhrig. He is also survived by brothers: Wilfrid “Bill” Feller of Blunt, Duane Feller of California, Erwin (Marlys) Feller of Pierre and Merrill (Galene) Feller of Valentine, NE.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Forrest “Frosty”, a niece Vicky, sister-in-laws Sandy and Peggy, and special friend and companion Doris Sayler.
