Louis Henry Fuerst

Louis Fuerst, 88, of Yankton, passed away December 15, 2019 at Avera Majestic Bluffs in hospice care. He was born April 17, 1931 to Henry and Martha (Semmler) Fuerst of Kaylor, SD. Louis was baptized at the rural Seimental German Congregational Church, Kaylor, SD, and confirmed in the Congregational church in Scotland, SD.
Louie attended Kaylor Grade School for two years and then Brown School District #9 until graduating from the eighth grade. He worked on the family farm until being called to serve our nation during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954. He served in combat with Company E, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, achieving the rank of corporal and earning the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Korean Service Medal with Bronze Star, the United Nations Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
Louie was united in marriage to Judy Kay Parry, of Canistota, SD on September 21, 1958. Louie and Judy were blessed with three children Starlyn Kay, Angela Jo, and Toby Louis. Together, Louie and Judy farmed 3/4 miles west of his home place near Kaylor, SD for 56 years.
Upon retirement, Louie maintained a garden with pumpkins and watermelons as his specialties. He enjoyed playing cards, following politics, sharing stories of past experiences, and spending time with family and friends. Louie always had a positive attitude and a great sense of humor. A highlight of his life was a trip to Germany in 1987 for the birth of their first grandchild.
Louie served on several boards throughout the years including the Brown School Board, Kaylor Elevator Board, Kaylor Lumber Yard Board, and the Scotland Farmer's Co-op Association. He was steadfast in his faith in Jesus Christ, honoring the Lord by teaching Sunday school, serving on various church boards, and as Sunday school superintendent from 1965 - 1984. Louie and Judy moved to Yankton in 2014.
Louie was preceded in his passing by his parents, five siblings Violet Pietz, Alma Henderson, Rosie Asche, Lawrence Fuerst, Jeanie Auch, and brother-in-law Wayne Parry.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife Judy of 61 years, his three children Starlyn (Byron) Williams of Yankton, SD; Angela (Lee) Stockland of Harker Heights, TX; and Toby (Julie) Fuerst of Andover, MN; seven grandchildren Savannah (Jack) Greenwell of Harker Heights, TX; Nicholas Stockland of Austin, TX; Sunny Jo (Angel) Ramirez of Copperas Cove, TX; Jacob (Kate) Stockland of San Angelo, TX; Benjamin Fuerst, Jackson Fuerst, and Lincoln Fuerst, all of Andover, MN; sister, Idella Behl of Scotland, SD; brother-in-law, Randy (Linda) Parry, and many nieces and nephews.