PIERRE, SD – Gordon Henry Van Ash, Sr. (Gordy), 92, of Pierre, died Friday, June 14, 2024 in Sioux Falls. A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 20th from 5:00-7:00pm at Isburg Funeral Chapel with a Prayer Service starting at 7:00pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00am on Friday, June 21st at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church with burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery in Pierre.

Gordy was born on the 27th day of June during the summer of 1931. His birthplace was on the family farm near Larchwood, Iowa. There to welcome him were his mother and father, Sophie (Friessen) and Henry along with his siblings Alfred, Cletus, Leonella and Betty. Beverly would arrive later making this family complete. He spent his entire childhood in the Larchwood area, where he completed his education while working with his family on their 160-acre farm raising both crops and livestock. He walked from the farm to and from school each day and at the age of 12 he was driving and hauling crops to the grainery in town. Gordy attached a radio (the first in the county) to the tractor. He cranked up the volume so he could hear the music over the sound of the tractor. Grandpa Henry was not happy about the noise but it didn’t take long when the daily news could be heard from the fields whenever Grandpa drove the tractor.

Throughout his young adult life, Dad worked for area farmers during planting and harvesting seasons, and for a time, farmed a section of land for himself. Dad was the caretaker of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Cemetery in Larchwood. He kept the grounds proper and dug the graves by hand for $25 each. He worked at the Queen Bee Mill in Sioux Falls, where he was paid an extra five-cents-an-hour for working the night shift. He began his plumbing vocation in Larchwood. This work extended to the repair of area windmills. Dad always had a fond affection for these wind-powered machines. He could identify the brands of them from a distance based on the designs of their towers or shape of their blades.

Gordy and Lois (Healy) were married on April 9, 1953. With the support and encouragement from his loving wife, Dad took a leap to leave Larchwood to seek opportunities elsewhere. As to not risk the stability of Mom and us kids, he moved to Pierre, South Dakota in 1960 to test the waters, leaving us behind. He traveled by bus to Pierre, found a room in a boarding house and a day-and-a-half later began working for a local plumber, Ackerman Plumbing. He traveled back to Larchwood on the weekends. At this time the Oahe Dam was being built and housing was in high demand. It was one year before Mom and us five kids would move to Pierre to join Dad in a small apartment.

Dad continued working in the plumbing business for several years working for Magee’s Plumbing and Oahe Plumbing and Heating, before opening and operating Gordy’s Plumbing. Working alongside Lois and his son, Garry. Gregg joined them for a short time. The business operated until Gordy’s retirement at the age of 81. He loved to take long car rides around the area, and he would often point out every house he had worked in, saying as he drove by, “I plumbed that one”; every apartment complex, “I plumbed that one”; and every business, “I plumbed that one.” Even at the age of 92.

Mom was his constant companion for 66 years. When Mom asked for a house along the river it was no surprise when Dad answered “I know of one and it’s empty.” Together they built a life and raised their seven children, Theresa (Jim) Phelps, Gordon, Jr. (Patty Watkins), Mary (Robert) Zishka, Anna (Robert) Truax, Jeanine, Garry (Dawn Davis) and Gregg. Dad was proud of his accomplishments, of his life, of his business and of his family, and his family was always so very proud of him. Dad has always been our hero.

Dad enjoyed planting his seasonal vegetable garden, nurturing his tulip garden, caring for his indoor plants and watching the birds and squirrels outside from his kitchen window. He enjoyed discussing the topics of the day with his friends at the American Legion in Pierre and he enjoyed dinner with his friends at the Moose Lodge in Ft. Pierre.

Dad’s favorite past time was fishing. Whether shore fishing or sitting in his boat or watching it from his couch, as long as he had a fishing pole in his hand, he was at home. Vacations away from home were not needed “Why would you leave the river” he would say. He knew the waters in the area like the back of his hand and would spend his spare hours tracking down fishing holes. He had a lot of fishing partners over the years. If he wasn’t out on the water with one of them, he was out there with Mom or one or more of us kids or grandkids. He could filet a walleye like no other, quick and boneless.

Dad was the proud owner of six fishing boats in his lifetime. He fondly recalled each one of them. And described them as follows “My first one was a Silverline, and then I owned my Lund. I sold the third one to the Houck Ranch. I replaced that boat with one I bought for $50. I bought another junker with no motor. I trailered it over to the Island (LaFramboise) when you could drive through there. I tied it up there one night, someone untied it and it was never seen again. And the sixth boat—my Sylvan.”

Dad wasn’t much of the hugging and affectionate type of guy. He showed he cared in other ways, and so we always knew we were loved. Upon saying our goodbyes as we were leaving his home or hanging up from a phone conversation, his response to our, “I love you Dad,” was always his, “Toodle-de-do.” We knew that really meant, I love you, too.

Gordy held a Certified Master Plumber License. He was a former member of the Izaak Walton League and current member of the Moose Lodge. He knew how to get around on a dance floor and enjoyed both the waltz and the polka. He enjoyed listening to country music and watching old westerns on TV. Gordy could handle a pool stick enjoying both billiards and snooker. He also enjoyed a good game of shuffleboard and playing poker at the casino. He got a kick out of mechanical toys and was the proud owner of several. He was fun and funny and kind and caring, and he loved a good joke. Dad was loved by many and respected by more, and we will all miss him.

In addition to his children and their spouses, Gordon is survived by 12 grandchildren, 20 great- grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren, 2 sisters, 3 sisters-in-law and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He held a special place in his heart for the spouses of his grandchildren and his good friends, Alan Odden and Bob Sehr.

Years ago, Dad was sure he would go before Mom. He told her then “There must be a fishing hole along the way. I’ll stop there and wait for you and we will go in together.” Whether Dad chose the anniversary of her departure (2019) or Mom came to get him – we know they walked through the Gates of Heaven together. There to greet them are their children Jeanine (1980) and Gregg (1999), along with Dad’s parents, his brothers Al and Cletus, his sister Leonella, a grandson-in-law Jason Nolte (2019) and many of his fishing partners he enjoyed throughout his years.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to your favorite charity or to take a kid fishing!

Condolences may be mailed to the family at:

Van Ash Family

c/o Theresa Phelps

928 West 2nd Street

Sioux Falls, SD 57104

“For years the riverbank was where

My soul felt most at peace

My heart was most content when there

With the fish and all the geese

But now my spirit has come to rest

Where angels choose to roam

And now equipped with ten-pound test

I’ll make myself at home.

The sky will become my deep blue sea

The clouds will become my shore

And here, for all eternity

I’ll sit with Lois and friends galore

Each angel will be a fisherman

With golden wings and a fishing pole

And we’ll all sit together

At Heaven’s fishing hole.

The tales I told about each catch

Its stature and its girth

I hope will live in your memories

As days pass for you here on Earth

Until I meet with you again, one day

Upon God’s golden sand

I hope you’ll picture me no other way

Than with a fishing pole in hand.”

“Toodle-de-do”

Gordy

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