Obituary: George W. Stroppel

Funeral Services

Funeral services will take place on Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at 10:00 AM (Mountain).

St. William's Catholic Church
Midland, South Dakota

Interment

Tuesday, April 5, 2022 - 2:30 p.m.
Black Hills National Cemetery
Sturgis, South Dakota

Visitation

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service starting at 7 p.m. Monday, April 4, 2022 at St. William's Catholic Church in Midland.

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In memory of

George W. Stroppel

of Midland, South Dakota, died on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at the Scotchman Living Center in Philip at the age of 95

George Windfield Stroppel was born on April 11, 1926, on the family ranch near Powell, SD, the son of John and Violet (Miller) Stroppel. He attended his first seven years of school in Powell and then moved to Midland to go to high school.

George joined the Navy on September 4, 1943. He went through boot camp and gunners school in Farragut, Idaho. He was then sent to Hawthorne, Nevada to an ammunition depot for eight months. After that he was shipped to the Pacific to serve on the battleship USS New Jersey. George was discharged from the Navy on June 12, 1946.

George returned to Midland and went to work at various jobs. He worked as a blacksmith, an independent painter, at the elevator for Farmer’s Union, he opened a café and then finally as a construction worker.

George was united in marriage to Alice Jean Finck at the St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Midland on July 17, 1954. They were blessed with six children, two girls and four boys. George worked on the Oahe Dam and they lived in Pierre. George started his own dirt work business and lived on the Stroppel Ranch near Powell for a few years. He built many dams around the Philip and Midland area. In 1963 they relocated and lived in Philip for a few more years before moving to Midland in 1966, to help George's mother, Violet, take care of the family business, the Stroppel Hotel. They ended up buying the hotel in 1973.

In 1998, George and Alice sold the hotel to their daughter Patricia and her husband Reuben and semi-retired to the home next door to the hotel.

George was a member of the American Legion Post #143 in Midland, the Senior Citizens of Midland, the Disable DAV of Ft. Pierre, the Midland Volunteer Fire Department, and the St. Williams Catholic Church. One of the highlights of George's life was in September of 2017, when Patsy, Patricia and Bridget took George to New Jersey and went through George's battleship, the USS New Jersey.

Survivors include four sons: Vernon Stroppel of Harbor City, California, James Stroppel (Kim) of Box Elder, Lawrence Stroppel (Marlene) of Midland, and Mike Stroppel of Midland; two daughters, Patricia Vollmer (Reuben) of Midland, and Patsy Fosheim (Rodney) of Kingman, Oklahoma; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

George was preceded in death by his wife, Alice, on July 10, 2014; his parents; a daughter-in-law Sharon Stroppel; two brothers, Galo and John “Jack” Stroppel; and two sisters, Mary Williams and Helen Schofield.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service starting at 7 p.m. Monday, April 4, 2022 at St. William's Catholic Church in Midland.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at St. William's Catholic Church in Midland with Father Gary Oreshoski as celebrant.

Interment with military honors will be held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Open the Memorial Folder

VISITATION
Monday, April 4, 2022 - 5-7 p.m.
St. William's Catholic Church
Midland, South Dakota

PRAYER SERVICE
Monday, April 4, 2022 - 7 p.m.
St. William's Catholic Church
Midland, South Dakota

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Tuesday, April 5, 2022 – 10:00 a.m.
St. William’s Catholic Church
Midland, South Dakota

CELEBRANT
Father Gary Oreshoski
assisted by Deacon Lloyd Frein

READER
Angie Doolittle

ALTAR SERVERS
Carson Daly - Dane Daly

MUSIC
Marianne Frein - Pianist
Shelby Hanson - Cantor
“On Eagles Wings” #437
“Precious Lord, Take My Hand” #673
“How Great Thou Art” #432
“Song of Farewell” #832
“Immaculate Mary” #201

USHERS
Tom Williams - Mike Williams

PALLBEARERS
Vernon Stroppel - James Stroppel - Lawrence Stroppel
Mike Stroppel - Danny Schofield - Bobby Schofield

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT
Tuesday, April 5, 2022 – 2:30 p.m.
Black Hills National Cemetery
Sturgis, South Dakota

Sign the guestbook

South Dakota ~ suzanne lewison sioux falls (4/5/2022)
Thank you George for your service to our country.
I know there will be wild time in heaven as so many friends, family are waiting for a massage or alignment.
Family I am sorry for your loss you all know your dad was a wonderful father, friend & man. ~ Beverly McNeese Spearfish (4/2/2022)
Thanks for your service ~ A Veteran (4/2/2022)
A great man and legend is gone, but our stories will go on forever. ~ Tom Jungroth Crystal, MN (4/1/2022)
Patricia and family, sad to hear about George but always knew his faith had prepared him for meeting his maker. Such a kind soul and al sys ready to lend a helping hand. Always keep the memories fresh and know that he is at peace. Prayers ~ Barb Petoske Sioux Falls, SD. (3/31/2022)
It is with a heavy heart that I will go to work this weekend and not see Mr George. I am happy to know he is in heaven with my dad and husband. ~ Trisha Ireland Martin / Philip SD (3/31/2022)
Dear Pat & Families, Thinking of You all and Lean on God to support You thru this trying time. I know how devoted You were to your parents and it's always tough when they are missing in your life. Sincerest Thoughts & Prayers, Kathy & Jerry Noteboom. ~ Kathy S.& Jerry Noteboom 21309 Cabin Road (3/31/2022)
I was honored to have know George and his wonderful family. Men like him never saw himself hero. He was a hero to your town, state and country. To me he was a shipmate and friend. Fair winds and following seas. RIP Shipmate, ~ Brent Saucerman Lawton, Ok (3/31/2022)
It was an honor caring doe George. He was a devoted Catholic and I found him many times reading his devotional book. Rest in peace dear man! ~ Carmen Fees (3/31/2022)
What a Wonderful Man, our prayers go out to the family. ~ Kari and Kendall Kjerstad Grand Junction CO (3/30/2022)
I knew George through the SD massage therapy association as he attended several of the conferences. His knowledge in so many aspects of this world made his conversations so enjoyable, along with his kindness! He has been incredible joy to know! ~ Sandy Berg Wilmot, SD (3/30/2022)
I always had fond memories of your dad, George. He was a good person with a heart of gold. He was always so friendly, was proud of his service to his country, had a great sense of humor and was proud of all of you kids and your accomplishments. I had forgotten until I read the obituary that he shared a birthday with my mom, Irene. Prayers for all of you for strength, love and comfort in your dad's passing and remember him with love and for his well-lived life. ~ Patty Willoughby Ocala, FL (3/30/2022)
I had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with George in the last few months as I was working in the nursing home. He was a kind and gentle man! I will miss seeing him and send many prayers of comfort to his family. ~ Vonda Hamill Milesville (3/30/2022)