Michael Lesmeister Obituary

Michael Eugene Lesmeister, the 1st, passed away as he rested peacefully surrounded by his wife and family on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 2:57 p.m., at his daughter's home in Fort Pierre, South Dakota, after a courageous battle with Glioblastoma brain cancer.

Mike was born January 1, 1951, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, the only son of Adam and Melvina (Grismer) Lesmeister. Mike attended grade school in Aberdeen and Mobridge, SD while living with his mother, Melvina, sister Madonna, and brother Andrew and spending time on his grandfather Frank Grismer’s farm and extended families in the Bowdle, SD area. At age 10, Mike moved to live with his father and stepmother Judy at Parade, SD. Along with helping his father Adam and uncle Louie Lesmeister on their farms, and he shared many memories of the horses Judy brought to their place. The large families Mike was raised with and surrounded by, created strong bonds and memories with all of his cousins on both the Grismer and Lesmeister side.

During his junior year in high school, Mike met the love of his life at a dance in 1968. He was united in marriage to Marcelline “Marcy” Julienne Jewett on October 31, 1969, in Eagle Butte, South Dakota. Mike and Marcy started their family and lived on the farm at Parade, working alongside his father. In 1978 Mike briefly moved his wife and three children to North Dakota and then Aberdeen, SD, working as a ranch hand to support his growing family. In 1980, Mike and Marcy returned to Parade to help Adam and began taking over the farm and dairy his father started in the 1940’s. It was a part of the original Lesmeister farm, which was homesteaded in 1909. He purchased the farm in 1982. Mike and Marcy ran M & M Dairy, had range cattle, and farmed full-time, but over the years, Mike also took on other employment at Medicine Wheel Assisted Living Center, Eagle Butte Co-Op, Little Dakota Truck Stop, Fort Pierre Livestock, and Gettysburg Livestock. Mike worked extremely hard with a smile on his face, teaching his family a strong and resilient work ethic.

After decades of Marcy working off the farm, she retired in 2014 and Mike enjoyed having his best friend home to work along side him again. They gardened, canned, cooked, worked cattle, farmed and began to travel together. They started spending more time away from the farm, taking the “occasional” visits to Deadwood, traveling to fun places, visiting neighbors and family and enjoying quality time.

In 2019 Mike and Marcy renewed their vows after 50 wonderful years. A celebration with his growing family and high school sweetheart.

Mike made sure to take time in his day to have coffee with friends, attend more family and community events and even began snap chatting, texting and sharing more with grandchildren on his phone.

In July of 2024, doctors discovered Mike’s cancer, but even after his cancer diagnosis he continued going out for “nibbles” with Marcy around the area, trying out all the local cuisine, and catching up with family and friends. He made more phone calls and enjoyed his city life with his bride as he journeyed through treatments. It was important to Mike to never miss quality time with his family during his last year.

Five years ago, Mike began one of his last meaningful projects with Marcy, establishing and creating a family cemetery for themselves and their family. Mike’s determination to ensure he had everything in place for when he was gone for Marcy and the children, was very important to him. He especially wanted to move his two young infant daughters home, that he and Marcy lost in 1975 and 1980 so they could once again all be together. It’s a beautiful reminder of Mike’s devotion and love for his family.

Survivors include wife Marcy of Eagle Butte; children: Lynnette Lesmeister of Rapid City, Tammy Tolton of Fort Pierre, and Frank (Terri) Lesmeister of Parade; grandchildren: Lonny Lesmeister, Lyle Lesmeister, Thomas Tolton, Robert Tolton, Samuel Tolton, Matthew Tolton, Adam Lesmeister, Dyllan Lesmeister, Timothy Prewitt, Julia Lesmeister, and Luke Lesmeister; great-grandchildren: Kase Lesmeister, Krew Lesmeister, Kaden Lesmeister, Kree Lesmeister, Brynlee Storm-Tolton, Abeni Lopez, Brian Soldana, Silas Lesmeister-Chavez, and Scarlett Prewitt; brother Andrew Hulm of Lead-Deadwood; sister Madonna (Bill) Montano of Wilcox, AZ; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by two daughters Julia Kathleen in 1975 and Amanda Michelle in 1980; son-in-law Neil Tolton in 2019; his parents Adam and Melvina Lesmeister; step-mother Judy Lesmeister; and in-laws Belle and Louis Jewett.

Rosary services will be held 7:00 p.m. MDT Friday, July 25, at All Saints Catholic Church in Eagle Butte.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. MDT Saturday, July 26, at All Saints Catholic Church with Father John Paul Trask as celebrant.

Interment will be held 1:30 p.m. MDT at the Lesmeister Family Cemetery near Parade.

In lieu of flowers a memorial is established to the Black Hills Federal Credit Union of Pierre in Mike and Marcy Lesmeister's name.

Capitol City Florist of Pierre will be receiving floral orders and delivering to the services in Eagle Butte if anybody wishes to order. (605) 224-4886

Michael Lesmeister

of Parade, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, July 23, 2025
at his daughter's home in Fort Pierre at the age of 74

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Guest Book

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Michael Lesmeister

of Parade, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at his daughter's home in Fort Pierre at the age of 74

Service Details

Guest Book

Flowers

of Parade, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, July 23, 2025
at his daughter's home in Fort Pierre at the age of 74