Elmer Nitzschke, Jr.

Elmer T. Nitzschke Jr., 82, of Swiftbird, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at the Avera Oahe Manor in Gettysburg, where he had lived for the last three years.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. CST, Saturday, January 30, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Gettysburg with Fr. Jerry Kopel presiding. Burial will follow in the Ducheneaux Family Cemetery, Swiftbird, with a reception to be held at Bob’s Steakhouse at 1:30 pm.   Wake services were held at 7:00 p.m. CST, Friday, January 29, 2016 at the Ducheneaux Chapel, Swiftbird with visitation 30 minutes prior.

Elmer was born in Remsen, Iowa on June 26, 1933 to Elmer Sr. and Florentine (Stoos) Nitzschke. He lived for 30 years with his wife, Karen Ducheneaux Nitzschke, on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota, during which time he worked as a Federal Interior Department Administrative Law Judge for most of the tribes in South Dakota until his retirement from federal service in 1995. After he retired, he served as Gettysburg City Attorney for a number of years.

Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Karen; sons: Guy, Greg, Joel and Jeff; daughters: Angela Hoffman, Amy, Monica Myott and Tasina Ducheneaux; 15 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; brothers: Ron, Dale and Dave; and sisters: Norma Peterson and Mary Lindblom.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are directed to the Frank Ducheneaux Memorial Chapel, HC3 Box 85A, Gettysburg, SD 57442.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Elmer’s arrangements.