Gary A. Meisenheimer

Gary was born October 13, 1953, to Lillian and Elmer Meisenheimer at Bartron Hospital in Watertown, SD. He attended school in Watertown and entered the Air Force in 1971, where he earned his GED. He was stationed on a radar base near Haver, MT, for much of his service. After serving for three years, he returned to Watertown and worked for Gray Construction. He met and married LeAnn Moyer in South Shore, SD, in 1976, and they had a daughter, Colleen, in 1977. After moving to St. Cloud for a short time, they returned to Watertown, where he studied and apprenticed as a lineman while working for Codington Clark Electric, and LeAnn was a registered nurse.

In 1979, they had a second daughter, Jennifer. They often camped as a family in the summer, and he would pull the girls and their friends on the tube for hours. Gary enjoyed hunting and fishing in his free time. He took part in an annual elk hunt in Colorado with a group of friends, and whether they were successful or not, they always had a good time. He was active in the local chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and believed in their commitment to wildlife. He welcomed two grandsons, Lucas in 2006, and Carter in 2009. He loved spending time with his grandsons, whether it was camping, watching their karate competitions, or getting them to root for the Denver Broncos.

He retired from Codington Clark Electric in 2015, and found ways to spend his time. He volunteered as an usher at church and delivered meals on wheels. He also spent more time reading and walking or playing with his dog.

Gary is survived by his wife, LeAnn; daughters: Colleen (Greg) Murley, of Aberdeen, SD, and Jennifer (Eric) Trelstad, of Lakeville, MN; grandsons: Lucas and Carter Trelstad, of Lakeville, MN; sisters: Joyce Schiralli, of Hugo, MN, and Carol Trebelcock of Belle Foursche, SD; sisters-in-law: Skip Meisenheimer of Watertown, SD, and Ellen Meisenheimer of Lowry, MN; brother-in-law: Merlin Hagen, of Wallace, SD; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Andrew, Alvin, Vernon, and Donald; sister: Barb Hagen; and nephews: Lynnal Meisenheimer and Kevin Anderson.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Watertown.  Rev. Benjamin Radtke will officiate. The service will be live-streamed via the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel Facebook page.

Visitation will be at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Monday, April 18, 2022, from 5-7 p.m.

Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown.   Military graveside honors will be conducted by Codington County Post #17 of the American Legion, Watertown, and the Funeral Honors Team of the U.S. Air Force.  Honorary pallbearers will be Gary’s hunting and fishing buddies.  Active pallbearers will be: Greg Murley, Eric Trelstad, Lucas Trelstad, Carter Trelstad, Tyler Heuer, and Jesse Heuer.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel     www.crawfordosthus.com

Watertown, Hayti, De Smet, Bryant

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