Peter Werdel
November 29, 1922 ~ April 25, 2013
Served by: Luce, Luze & Reck Funeral Homes
Peter Werdel, 90, of Ree Heights, died Thursday, April 25th at the Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital in Miller. Funeral Mass will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, April 29 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Stephan. Visitation will be Sunday, April 28 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. with a 6:00 p.m. wake service all at St. Ann Catholic Church in Miller. Burial will be at Cedar Cemetery in rural Ree Heights.
P.J. was born on November 29, 1922 to John Peter and Elizabeth (Kusser) Werdel on the family farm. He was the oldest of seven children. P.J. lived his entire life on the family farm. His early education was at rural Curtis School. He later attended Brookings School of Agriculture. P.J. and Patricia Jean Robbins were married June 27, 1946 in Pierre SD. They lived their life of 63 years together on the Werdel ranch. To this union 12 children were born, 50 grandchildren and 82 great grandchildren.
P.J. spent a very active life farming, ranching and cattle buying. He spent many, many hours playing cards with his family and friends and was an avid hunter. Pete was a man of great courage, determination and strength. He loved his family with all his heart and he struggled to keep them fed, safe and in God's grace. He was very active in his church and community. If you needed help, Pete was there. P.J. also served on numerous boards within the community.
Survivors include twelve children and their spouses, Laura (Jerry) Heinz of St Paul, Minn, John (Lex) Werdel of Ree Heights, Ray (Lynn) Werdel of Ree Heights, Lee (Jeanne) Werdel of Clark, Mary Werdel of Malta, Mont., Bill (Peggy) Werdel of Hurley, Kay (Randy) Shepherd of Conrad, Mont., Ed (Patti) Werdel of Ree Heights, Carol (Mark) Steichen of Alpena, Gail (Todd) Christensen of Vermillion, Jean (Tom) Hamiel of St Lawrence, and Judy Haley of Sioux Falls, 50 grandchildren and 82 great-grandchildren, 4 sisters, Sister Marie Helene Werdel, Theresa R. Summerton, Annabell Clausen, Leona Yanta and brother-in-law, Art Schuster, Sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jack (Pat) Robbins and Joe (Carol) Robbins.
He was preceded in death by his wife Patty; his parents Elizabeth and John Werdel; father-in-law and mother-in-law, J.Q. and Gladys Robbins, sisters, Loretta Suhn and Marita Schuster; brother-in-laws, Jr. Suhn, Bob Ricklick, Al Summerton, Bob Clausen, Rick Yanta and Jim Robbins and one grandchild, Francis Peter Werdel.
P.J. was born on November 29, 1922 to John Peter and Elizabeth (Kusser) Werdel on the family farm. He was the oldest of seven children. P.J. lived his entire life on the family farm. His early education was at rural Curtis School. He later attended Brookings School of Agriculture. P.J. and Patricia Jean Robbins were married June 27, 1946 in Pierre SD. They lived their life of 63 years together on the Werdel ranch. To this union 12 children were born, 50 grandchildren and 82 great grandchildren.
P.J. spent a very active life farming, ranching and cattle buying. He spent many, many hours playing cards with his family and friends and was an avid hunter. Pete was a man of great courage, determination and strength. He loved his family with all his heart and he struggled to keep them fed, safe and in God's grace. He was very active in his church and community. If you needed help, Pete was there. P.J. also served on numerous boards within the community.
Survivors include twelve children and their spouses, Laura (Jerry) Heinz of St Paul, Minn, John (Lex) Werdel of Ree Heights, Ray (Lynn) Werdel of Ree Heights, Lee (Jeanne) Werdel of Clark, Mary Werdel of Malta, Mont., Bill (Peggy) Werdel of Hurley, Kay (Randy) Shepherd of Conrad, Mont., Ed (Patti) Werdel of Ree Heights, Carol (Mark) Steichen of Alpena, Gail (Todd) Christensen of Vermillion, Jean (Tom) Hamiel of St Lawrence, and Judy Haley of Sioux Falls, 50 grandchildren and 82 great-grandchildren, 4 sisters, Sister Marie Helene Werdel, Theresa R. Summerton, Annabell Clausen, Leona Yanta and brother-in-law, Art Schuster, Sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jack (Pat) Robbins and Joe (Carol) Robbins.
He was preceded in death by his wife Patty; his parents Elizabeth and John Werdel; father-in-law and mother-in-law, J.Q. and Gladys Robbins, sisters, Loretta Suhn and Marita Schuster; brother-in-laws, Jr. Suhn, Bob Ricklick, Al Summerton, Bob Clausen, Rick Yanta and Jim Robbins and one grandchild, Francis Peter Werdel.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Dear Werdel Family, Im so very sorry to hear of Pete’s passing. What a nice man he was. He was always so nice to Wendy and me for the 7 years we rented from him. I enjoyed our monthly visits. He knew many things I didnt, but shared his thoughts with me. Our sympathy to all of you. God Bless Pete. Bret
Carol/Mark and family: I am deeply saddened by the death of your dear father. You and your family can have great comfort in his love of God and his devotion to his beloved family. May God grant all of you comfort, courage and strength as you continue on without him. We rejoice however that he is now in the arms of the Father. Blessings–Jeannette/Vern Pfeiffer
My deepest sympathy to all of the Werdel family on the passing of your father and grandfather. Know that Pete and all of you will be remembered in my daily prayers. God’s Love and Peace be with You. LouAnn
Our prayers and sympathy is with all of you. May God continue to support you during this very sorrowful time.
Our thoughts & prayers are with you…hold on to the memories!
So sorry for your loss. Pete meant a lot to both of us, and will be missed greatly.
To all of Pete’s family: I was so sorry to learn of the sudden loss of your dad. May you find comfort in your memories and in knowing he and Pat are once again together. He was such a nice man. Here’s to a life well-lived, Pete, and to the legacy you leave behind of your wonderful family. With my sympathy to you all, Ricki Bloomenrader
To all of Petes family; we are so sorry for your loss. He will be missed. Pete set an example of how to live and he truly lived. God Bless you at this time.
Werdel Families,
Sorry to hear of your loss. our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Gloria, Ed, and Marilyn Vavra
We wish to extend our deepest sympathy to all of you in the loss of your dad, grandpa & great grandpa. What a fine, upstanding man. He was always so kind and gracious to others. Prayers and hugs to all of you during this difficult time.
ray and families. sorry to hear about your dad. may he rest in peace. i will bet he and uncle lloyd will be wheeling and dealing in heaven.
We are so sorry for your loss. He was an amazing man,
I want to extend my condolences to the Werdel family. Pete always made me feel welcome and we did enjoy our cribbage games. I am kind of at a loss for words, as I just found out about this, but know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Please accept mu most heartfelt sympathies for your loss?my thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
My condolences to the Werdel family during this difficult time. May you find comfort in God’s promise to soon wipe away all reasons for sorrow and tears (Revelation 21:3,4).