Leon Traver

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Leon Traver, 61, of Sioux Falls, formerly of Faulkton, passed on to his next adventure Friday, May 16, 2025, at Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, due to complications following bypass surgery.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 23, 2025, at the United Church of Faulkton with Pastor Shawn Stoll presiding. Burial will follow at the Faulkton Cemetery. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church.

Leon Royal Traver was born November 20, 1963, to Royal and Irmgard “Pip” Traver in Faulkton, South Dakota. He graduated from Faulkton High School in 1982. After graduation, Lee held a variety of jobs, including at Schwan’s Sales, custom harvesting with Craig Mutsch, and with Hanson Construction. At the time of his passing, he was employed as a truck driver for Soukup Construction in Sioux Falls.

For the last 24 years, Lee shared his life in Sioux Falls with his longtime love, Sheryl Ulmer, along with their two beloved fur babies, Morgan and Bridgette. Lee often spoke about the joy and laughter Morgan and Bridgette brought to their lives—and how well they had trained him to be their human.

Lee grew up on the family farm, working the land, raising livestock, and—his “favorite” task—picking rocks. He looked forward to returning home for the opening weekend of pheasant season. He made countless memories with family and friends at the “palace” hunting resort on the farm.

The Fourth of July was another favorite of Lee’s. He loved spending the holiday with friends and family, doing “local” things, lighting fireworks for the kids—and for himself. Some might even say he lit the streets on fire.

Lee was proud to be part of the Faulkton Trojan football team, which went undefeated during the regular season and earned a spot in the championship game during the inaugural year of South Dakota high school football playoffs. Though the team came in second after a close game in the Dakota Dome, they united the entire Faulkton community. Over the years, Lee and his teammates would often replay the game in their memories—and sometimes even changed the outcome with just a few “different” plays.

Lee was always known for helping anyone who needed a hand. While not necessarily the most patient helper, he dove into every project without hesitation and always put others’ needs before his own. He took great joy in showing up for people—and making them laugh along the way.

Lee is survived by his longtime love, Sheryl Ulmer and her sons, Shawn Ulmer, Oaks ND and Todd Ulmer, Orlando, FL; mother, Irmgard “Pip” Traver, Faulkton; brother, Jay (Sallie) Traver, Box Elder; sisters: Deb (Bill) Clement, Faulkton, and Donna (Ed) Bellack, North Vernon, IN; nieces and nephews: Dustin (Michelle) Clement, Box Elder, Kelli (Sam) Schaefers, Whitewood, Kayla (Todd) Hanson, Faulkton, and Beau Bellack, North Vernon, IN; and numerous great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Royal Traver; paternal grandparents: Cecil “Tete” and Leona (Vopat) Traver; maternal grandparents: Bruno Sr. and Gerda Zupp; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Leon’s arrangements.