Obituary of Edward A. Krempges

Edward A. Krempges, age 96 of Yankton passed away on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at the Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Monday, November 7, 2016 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Yankton with Rev. Ken Lulf officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery with military graveside rites by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791 Honor Guard, Yankton, SD. Visitations will begin at 6:00 PM, Sunday, November 6, 2016 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton with a Rosary at 7:00 PM and a Scripture Service and video tribute to follow. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Online condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelhome.com. Edward Anthony Krempges was born 8 April 1920 to John and Anna (Zens) Krempges in Canova, SD. He attended St. Mary’s grade school at Epiphany, SD and graduated from Burbank Consolidated High School, Canova, SD in 1938. He was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Black Hills during 1938-1939. He attended the University of South Dakota beginning in 1940 until he joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942. He served in the South Pacific and was honorably discharged in 1946. He married Phillis Arionus on 10 October 1949 at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Sioux Falls, SD. The couple lived in Sioux Falls until 1958 when they moved to Dell Rapids, SD. He worked in the grocery business retiring from Prairie Market (Nash Finch) in 1981. While in Dells he was a Scout Leader, coached 12 year olds in baseball and belonged to the ARC where he did volunteer work. He was active in St. Mary’s Parish in Dell Rapids, SD and was a Eucharistic Minister. In 1987 the family relocated to Yankton, SD. Ed was a member of St. Benedicts Catholic Parish in Yankton, SD. He joined the Catholic Order of Foresters in 1936 and the American Legion in 1946. He was active in Special Olympics as a coach and volunteer. The family was voted Special Olympics Family of the Year in 1987-1988. Ed helped care for the House of Mary Shrine near Yankton, SD and was a lector there. Ed enjoyed woodcarving, fishing, camping, traveling, baseball and other sports. Ed and Phillis were married for nearly 63 years before her death on 3 June 2012. Ed is survived by his children, Jean Ann (Doug) Feuerhelm, Kathy Davis, Dan (Moe) Krempges, Craig Krempges, Bernie (Julie) Krempges, Denis Krempges and Kristie Theesfeld; 15 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandson; his brother, Bill Krempges and many relatives and friends. Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Alfred; sister, Rose Marie; sons, John and Kelly; daughters-in-law, Penny Krempges and Sherry Dailey; sons-in-law, Joe Theesfeld and Dan Davis; grandson, Joshua Krempges; great-granddaughter, Mariana Krempges; and foster daughter, Angie Metli. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be directed to: House of Mary Shrine, 129 Kniest Ave, Yankton, SD 57078 or the St. Benedict Catholic Church, 1500 Benedict Road, Yankton, SD 57078.