SENECA, SD – Lloyd Wager, 85, of Seneca, passed away Thursday, May 23, 2024, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 30, 2024, at the United Church of Faulkton, with Pastor LeShea Avery officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Orient.

Lloyd Walter Wager was born on April 24, 1939, to Walter Lars and Edna (Kilian) Wager on the family’s farm in northwest Potter County. Lloyd’s early education was at Appomattox School, a quaint one-room country school he attended on horseback. He later attended Gettysburg High School, where he graduated in 1958. It was during his junior year of high school that he met the love of his life, Sonja Berman, at a dance in Lebanon, SD. They married on May 2, 1960, at St. Boniface Church in Seneca, a union that blessed them with four children: Starla, Brenda, Duane, and Mary Ann.

Initially, the newlyweds lived on Lloyd’s family farm. In November of 1961, they moved to the Frank Holmes place (known as the Hungry Hump Farm) 16 miles southeast of Seneca and a mile east of Sonja’s home place. By June of 1973, they officially settled on Sonja’s family homestead, and continued to build their life together.

Farming was more than a job for Lloyd; it was his passion. He took immense pride in working the land and raising livestock; and loved farming alongside his son Duane. Through the years, he raised sheep, hogs, and cattle, and grew small grains, corn, and beans. In his younger years, he would work sun up to sun down–sometimes into the middle of the night, if needed. Lloyd’s dedication to farming never waned; he found joy in driving his tractor and checking the crops until the very end. The farm was truly his happy place.

Aside from work, Lloyd also had a love for adventure and family outings when he was younger. He enjoyed watching NASCAR and would often take his family to the dirt track races in Pierre, Miller, Huron, and Rapid City. He loved to travel to the Black Hills for snowmobiling trips, as well as the occasional Yellowstone or Montana roadtrip. Lloyd also served as a board member for the Seneca Fire Department for many years.

Lloyd’s dedication extended beyond farming. He was a devoted husband to Sonja, taking great care of her from the moment they met. His love for his family and the farm was evident in everything he did. Lloyd was a humble, honest individual. His life is a testament of hard work and dedication. He leaves behind a legacy of strength and integrity, deeply rooted in his love for his family and the land he cherished.

Lloyd is survived by his wife of 64 years, Sonja of Seneca; daughter, Starla (Dennis) Volk of Rapid City; daughter, Brenda (Doug) Hogg of Miranda; son, Duane Wager of Seneca; brother, Joyce Wager of Mobridge; six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his daughter, Mary Ann; parents, Walter and Edna; brothers, Gail and Duane; in-laws, Walter and Violet Berman; daughter-in-law, Starla Wager; niece, Sheila Ellenbecker; nephews, Donald and Lars Wager; and great grandson, Kilian Ryker Hempel.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Lloyd’s arrangements. Visit www.familyfueralhome.net

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