Lee Serfling

Lee Serfling, age 81, of De Smet, SD, passed away on Monday, August 4, 2025, at the Good Samaritan Society in De Smet, SD.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, August 25, 2025, at American Lutheran Church in De Smet, SD. Pastor Nate Bendorf will officiate with music provided by Mary Weerts as organist. Active pallbearers will be Bill Driscoll, Brian Driscoll, Dylan Gehm, Loren Gehm, Nathan Serfling, Casey Wallum, and Ben Widman. The service will be live-streamed via www.crawfordosthus.com.

Visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 PM on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in De Smet, SD.

Burial at De Smet Cemetery.

On January 16, 1944, Lee LaVerne Serfling was born to Earl and Anne (Claassen) Serfling on a farm near Bancroft, SD. Lee was one of eight children. He attended country school prior to graduating from De Smet High School. After graduation, Lee joined the National Guard, serving for six years. Lee stayed and worked on the family farm his entire life. On the farm, he harvested a variety of crops over the years and raised black Angus cattle. Occasionally, he would work as a welder in Huron, SD, but his heart was always in farming. He also liked Arabian horses and competing in calf-roping events.

In his free time, Lee loved going out to get his morning coffee every day and watching car racing (especially NASCAR). Being outdoors was one of his favorite ways to relax, whether it was sitting by the fire on a camping trip, trail riding, hunting, or fishing—even if he didn’t catch many fish. Lee found great joy in spending time with his family, especially during their yearly family reunions.

Lee is survived by Rhonda Wallum; six siblings: Erlyn (Jim) Hagen of Blaine, MN; Lowell (Renae) Serfling of Sherwood, OR; Alan (Janice) Serfling of Madison, SD; Marcia (Bob) Salayi of Coeur d’Alene, ID; Joan Serfling (Tom Gilsrud) of Pierre, SD; and Janelle (John) Dinges of Madison, SD; fifteen nieces and nephews and several great nieces and nephews; and Casey (Emily) Wallum of Tea, SD, and their children.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Anne; brother, Murray Serfling; and sisters-in- law, Alice Serfling and Janet Serfling.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel

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