Gerald Randall

WAUBAY- Gerald Randall, 83 of Waubay died on Monday, February 11, 2008 at Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, February 16, 2008 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Waubay, burial will be at Lakewood Cemetery. Visitation will be at Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster on Friday 2-4 P.M. then continuing at the church until 8 P.M. with a 7 P.M. Rosary Service. Gerald Edward Randall was born on Friday, June 27, 1924 to Edward and Violet (Hayhurst) Randall at Webster, South Dakota. The family lived in Morton Township near Webster where he began country school. The family then moved to Waubay where he continued his education at Waubay Schools. In April 1943 he entered the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Mercury in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. After his discharge in March 1946 he worked in the shipyards in Bremerton, Washington. After the war he returned to the Waubay area. On September 10, 1947 he married Virginia Burchardt at Waubay. After their marriage the couple made their home in Aberdeen where he was employed as a machinist for the K.O. Lee Company. In 1950 they moved to Waubay where he worked at the creamery. In 1959 the couple purchased a farm in Egeland Township where he has farmed since. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Waubay and the Brady-Monson Post 129, American Legion. He especially enjoyed gardening and attending Threshing Bees and antique shows. He also liked trains and attending Train Fest in Milbank. He enjoyed old time music including polkas and waltzes. Gerald enjoyed being outdoors and farming. Gerald passed away on Monday, February 11, 2008 at Watertown, South Dakota at the age of 83 years, 7 months and 14 days. Survivors include his wife, Virginia of Waubay; three sons, Gary (Marilyn) Randall and Roger (Kathy) Randall both of Watertown, SD and Darin (Christy) Randall of Waubay, SD; one daughter, Carol (Duane) Gaikowski of Waubay, SD; a brother-in-law, Allen Dunlap of Luverne, CA; a sister-in-law, Rita Hagen of St. Paul, MN; a nephew, Tom Dunlap of Lavern, CA; fourteen grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Marge Dunlap and a grandson, Jeff Randall.