Armand H. Wiebelhaus
YANKTON, S.D. — Armand H. Wiebelhaus, 87, Yankton, S.D., died Oct. 4, 2023 at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton. Mass of Christian Burial was Oct. 9 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Fordyce, with Rev. Jim Keiter officiating. Burial was in St. John the Baptist Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Armand’s grandchildren, Luke Carl, Roy Carl, Justin Bochman, Kylie Bochman, Margaret Wiebelhaus and Wyatt Wiebelhaus.
Visitation and a vigil service were Oct. 8 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, and resumed one hour prior to funeral.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Yankton.
Armand was born Sept. 26, 1936, at the home place one half mile north of Fordyce, to Art and Erna (Juergens) Wiebelhaus. He was baptized Sept. 27, by the Rev. Dan Reifenrath in Fordyce and grew up on a farm in the Fordyce area. He attended grades first through eighth at the St. John the Baptist Grade School, ninth and tenth grade at Fordyce High School and 11th and 12th grade at Heelan High School, Sioux City, Iowa. Armand stayed on the farm and farmed with his dad until his dad’s sudden death in 1961. Armand married Angela Lammers June 6, 1961, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. They had four children. Jody, Jill, Jane and Art have blessed their life, and during their time on the farm they helped with household duties, farm chores and providing care and support for Armand’s mother, Erna, until her death. Armand farmed on the homestead of his parents and uncle, Ben Juergens, until he retired in 1997. Armand moved to Yankton and allowed his son, Art, to continue the third generation.
Armand helped construct the dam system on the Missouri River. He hauled many wheelbarrow loads of cement to construct the spillway at Gavins Point Dam. Armand helped local neighbors very young, being barefoot, thrashing oats and leveling oats on wagons on those hot July days. Shoes in the summertime weren’t an option because money had to be saved for when Armand went to school in the fall. His salary was $1 a day, and the farm women always had great dinner and lunches. Multiple other jobs were pulling cock-o-burrs on hands and knees for Kuchtas, being an attendant at filling stations and working with Goeden Construction. Every day and every evening, Armand milked cows, helped hay and raised hogs until his retirement.
Armand enjoyed being the catcher for the Fordyce baseball team and other local baseball teams.
Armand’s special quality was his ability to initiate a conversation with anyone. His favorite pastimes were playing cards of any kind with family and friends from Fordyce, Hartington and Wisconsin. He also enjoyed vacations in Colorado, Alaska, Kenai Peninsula, Canada and Nova Scotia, organized by sisters-in-law. After retiring, he enjoyed helping at the House of Mary Shrine doing various tasks, for a short time.
He was president of parish council and school board and trustee for the parish in Fordyce and Catholic Order of Foresters for 75 plus years.
Armand is survived by his wife, Angela, Yankton, S.D.; three daughters, Jody (Dan) Carl, Hartington; Jill DeGroot, Wildwood, Mo.; and Jane (Jeff) Bochman, Yankton, S.D.; one son, Art (Lora) Wiebelhaus, Fordyce; 10 grandchildren, Luke (Emily), Roy (Amanda), Reagan (Barrett), Cliff (fiancé, Haley), Thomas, Nick, Justin (Mallory), Kylie, Maggie and Wyatt; great-grandchildren, Mercedes, Keegan, Carson, Cameron, Keira, June, Moses, Hailey, Josh and Elaina; sister, Charlotte Pick, Hartington; sisters-in-law, Charlene (Gerald) Wiebelhaus and Dorothy (Dennis) Wiebelhaus; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Gerald, Dennis, and Allyn, and his wife, Charlotte; brother-in-law, Kenny Pick; and special uncle, Ben Juergens.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fordyce for Masses to be said for the repose of Armand’s soul.