George R. Heller

George R. Heller passed away peacefully at the age of 89 on Sunday, January 7, 2024, in Watertown, South Dakota.  Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, January 11, 2024, at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Watertown.  Fr. Shaun Haggerty will be the celebrant.  Music will be provided by Jane Rokusek as organist and Brad Heesch as song leader.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Prairie Lakes Hospice in Watertown.  The family is requested to meet at the church on Thursday at 10:00 am for a prayer service.  The funeral service will be live-streamed on our website.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, January 10, 2024 with a 6:30 p.m. Scripture Wake Service, at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown.

Burial will be at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Watertown, SD.  Active Pallbearers will be George’s Grandsons: Justin Heller, Ben Heller, Gabe Heller, Jake Saunders, Casey Saunders, Nate Saunders, Dawson Heller and Dylan Bouvette.  Honorary Pallbearers will be all of George’s Great-Grandchildren and Granddaughters.

George was born on November 16, 1934, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to George and Theresa (Springer) Heller.  After graduating from a local high school in Eau Claire, George dedicated himself to serving his country as a proud veteran of the Army. He married Sharon Hrubesh February 23, 1957 in Eau Claire, WI.  His commitment to service continued in his professional life, where he embarked on a distinguished 37-year career as a court reporter.  In addition to his work for the courts, he was a valued employee at Peterka Insurance and later, a successful independent court reporter.

George's passion for community engagement was evident through his active involvement in local governance. He served with distinction on the Watertown City Council and the Codington County Commissioners.

A man of faith, George was a devoted member of the Holy Name Catholic Church. He also enjoyed the camaraderie of the Watertown Elks and the Quarterback Club, where he shared many a conversation and hearty laugh with friends. He participated in the Barbershop Quartet.

George's interests were diverse and reflected his engaging and spirited personality. He was a regular at the Wheel Inn, where he could often be found sipping coffee and engaging in lively discussions with friends. An avid outdoorsman, George relished the tranquility of fishing, a pastime that provided him with both relaxation and a connection to nature. His competitive spirit shone through in his love for playing cards, where he was both a kind and formidable opponent.  George had a love for golf and his children were thankful of passing that love of the sport to them when they were kids.  He was almost always seen in the stands watching his own children’s sporting events as well as his grandchildren. 

George is survived by his children, Jim (Michala) Heller, Aberdeen, SD, Jeffrey (Shelli) Heller, Watertown, SD, Mike (Tina) Heller, Watertown, SD, and Patti (Mike) Petersen, South Sioux City, NE; 13 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon; 1 son, John; his parents; 1 brother, Warren; and 3 sisters, Doris, Helen and Lois.

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

Watertown, Hayti, De Smet, Bryant

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