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Funeral services will take place on Friday, January 15, 2021 at 10:00 AM (Mountain).

Kadoka City Auditorium
Kadoka, South Dakota

Black Hills National Cemetery
Sturgis, South Dakota
A visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service at the auditorium.



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In memory of

Leslie "Les" Struble, Sr.

of Kadoka, South Dakota, died on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at the Kadoka Nursing Home at the age of 96

Leslie William Struble was born on December 8, 1924 to Harold and Marjorie (Harris) Struble in Platte, South Dakota, joining three older sisters: Esther, Dorothy, and Amy with the family increasing with the addition of brothers Clayton and Dell.

Leslie moved with this family to Wanblee (Bear Creek) in 1926. He attended grade school at Eagle Nest and Garner Schools.

He entered the U.S. Army June of 1944 during World War II where he was engaged in the "Battle of the Bulge”. He never talked much of his time in the service but did state he had Thanksgiving dinner in France and Christmas dinner in a foxhole at the Battle of the Bulge where the Germans made their last big fight. He was united in marriage to Helen (Muree) McRae on March 4, 1946. He served in Korea from 1948 to 1949 and was honorably discharge in 1950 at Fort Hood, Texas.

Les and Muree moved back to Kadoka in 1950. Daughter Lucinda (Cindy) Irene was born during his time serving in Korea with Mayola Muree, Thomas Harold, Milton Michael (Mike), Leslie William Jr. (Butch), and Tony Wayne then joining the family.

Les worked various jobs before his employment of 26 years with the South Dakota State Highway Department in maintenance, retiring in 1986. He worked alongside "daddy" at the Struble Standard Service Station, did carpentry for Keith Brakke, was a mechanic for Andy Gorman, Marvin Willert and Melvin Hicks’ service station, and worked at Charlie Mullins’ grocery store. In later years he also had a hand in work he loved farming for Neal Clarke, Merle Stilwell, and Charlie Williams. You could also find him at times at the business of Raymond Hicks, who was like a son to him, doing a little mechanic work. He also enjoyed his time as a mail carrier working for Richard Allen, Mary Ellen Hart, and Lenny Sanftner.

He was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, VFW of Hot Springs, lifetime member of the American Legion Post #27 of Kadoka and lifetime member of the NRA. He enjoyed bowling on a league up until 2014 when he began having trouble with his knees and walking. Both Les and Muree moved into Gateway Apartment Complex October 2015 until their move to the Kadoka Nursing Home August 20, 2018. His loving wife passed away on Mother’s Day, May 12, 2019. Les will be remembered by many for his sense of humor and quick wit.

Grateful for having shared his life are daughters Cindy (Dale) O’Connell and Mayola (Jim) Horst, both of Kadoka. Sons Tom (Rebecca) Struble of Philip, Mike Struble of Kadoka, Butch Struble of Lead and Tony Struble of Vine Grove, Kentucky; grandchildren Leslie (Polly) O’Connell, Blake (Stacy) Horst, Raymond (Karla) O’Connell, Wendy (Chad) Horst, Craig,(Sona) O’Connell, Quentin Struble, Bruce O’Connell, Erin (Chaz) Wheeler, Alea “Charlie” (Jason) Mook, Skyler Struble, Tanya (Demetrius) Lafarier, Kristopher Struble and Keegan Struble; Great grand-children Aubrey (Jeffrey) Patterson; Alex, Andrew, Jordan and Lanie O’Connell; Weston and Hayden Struble; Harper Perhus; Emily, Jaxson and Griffin Fode; Taylon, Kayla and Judian Schutz; Great-great grandchildren Landon Raile, Alayna and Brooks Patterson and Noah Schutz; Sisters-in-law Bonnie Enders, Carol Struble and Sherri Struble and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Muree of 74 years; his parents; sisters: Esther (Chris) Madsen, Dorothy (Beauford) Briggs, and Amy (Kenny) Dunsmore; brothers Clayton and Dell Struble; sisters-in-law Darlene (Dick) Schofield, Rachael (Milo) Brookens, and Gladys (Ralph) Wagner; brother-in-law Earl Enders; great- granddaughter Aerial O'Connell.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 15, at the Kadoka City Auditorium with Pastor Gus Craven officiating.

Private family interment with military honors will be held at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 264 Kadoka, SD 57543.

FUNERAL SERVICE
Friday, January 15, 2021 - 10:00 a.m.
City Auditorium
Kadoka, South Dakota

CLERGY
Pastor Gus Craven

SPECIAL MUSIC
“The Church in the Wildwood”
“Silver Wings”
“How Great Thou Art”

USHERS
John Madsen - Wes Enders

PALLBEARERS
Leslie O’Connell - Blake Horst
Raymond O’Connell - Craig O’Connell
Quentin Struble - Bruce O’Connell - Kris Struble

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

PRIVATE FAMILY INTERMENT
WITH MILITARY HONORS
Black Hills National Cemetery
Sturgis, South Dakota

  • Peace and prayers to Leslie's family. Never was around this man when he wasn't full of fun. Lucky family to have a patriarch like Leslie! ~ Roxy Richardson (1/17/2021)
  • Sending hugs and Prayers to Uncle Les"s Family ~ Bruce and Bonnie Madsen Kadoka S.D. (1/14/2021)
  • Thanks for serving ~ A Veteran (1/13/2021)
  • Our prayers and thoughts are with all of the Struble Family. ~ Glenda and Bob Oren (Brookens) Sioux Falls,SD (1/11/2021)
  • We are sorry for your loss. ~ Darlene and Clinton Schnee Kadoka (1/11/2021)
  • Our sincerely condolences to Mayola and family. We are thinking of you and your families during these sad times. ~ Greg & Dinah Scott Fayetteville, NC (1/10/2021)
  • We are so sorry for your loss, our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. ~ Kari and Kendall Kjerstad Grand Junction CO (1/10/2021)
  • Our sympathies to all the Struble family at the passing of Les. God bless and keep you all. ~ Kenny & Lyndy Ireland Philip, SD (1/10/2021)
  • Sorry for the loss of your father. Ron had the utmost respect for him and speaks highly of him. He will miss Leslie. Sympathy to all of you. ~ Ron and Marilyn Gartner Casa Grande AZ (1/9/2021)
  • So sorry for your loss. The memories that you can share will be bring sunshine into your days. ~ George & Shirley Dennis Philip, SD (1/9/2021)
  • You were the best neighbor a young Lad could have while growing up on the West End of Kadoka. Happy Trails Les .... ~ Mike Barber Tampa, Fl (1/9/2021)
  • I remember a good man with an amazing sense of humor, always quick witted. He made me laugh. I always enjoyed our conversations. He Will bbe missed.
    Lots of prayers and good thoughts for the family. I wish we could be there to celebrate his life with you all. God bless.     ~ Casey Dunsmore Waller Texas (1/9/2021)
  • Your in my thoughts and prayers. ~ Kelly Madsen Fort Pierre, SD (1/9/2021)
  • Sorry to hear about your loss...prayers and hugs. ~ Cindy O'Connell Wisconsin (1/9/2021)