Irwin Tukua

WEBSTER Irwin Tukua 91, of Sioux Falls and formerly of Webster, died on Sunday October 10, 2010 at Sioux Falls. His funeral will be 2 P.M. Thursday October 14, 2010 at St. Johns Lutheran Church with Rev. Daniel and Rev. KristinOstercamp officiating. Burial will be in the Webster Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Fiksdal Funeral Service of Webster is in charge of the arrangements. Fiksdalfuneral.com. Irwin was born on December 2, 1918, in Freeborn County, Minnesota, to Arthur and Lillie (Strand) Tukua. In 1927, he moved with his parents to a farm near Fergus Falls, Minnesota, where he attended rural school and was confirmed in Aastad Lutheran Church. He graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1936. He continued his education at North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, graduating from the two year Junior College course in electrical engineering. He began work in 1940 as a meter tester for Northwestern Public Service Company at Webster, becoming meter superintendent, electrical superintendent, and in 1970 the Webster Division manager. He retired in 1983. He served in the Army Air Force from 1942-1945, and married (Laura) Irene Hanson of Webster on June 30, 1951. In 2005 the couple moved to the Inn on Westport in Sioux Falls. He was an active member of St. Johns Lutheran Church of Webster, being a long-time Sunday School teacher, Sunday School superintendent, 50 year member of the Senior Choir, member of the church council and president of the congregation. He was a member of the Webster Kiwanis Club, serving as local president and South Dakota Lt. Governor. He was secretary-treasurer of the Webster Development Corporation, director of the Chamber of Commerce, United Fund director, Bethesda Home director and board president, and Bethesda Foundation director. He was a member of Izaak Walton League, American Legion, and the Gideons. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, Twins baseball games, long drives in the country, and spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife, Irene of Sioux Falls; three children, Barbara (Charles) Littel of Dell Rapids, South Dakota; Darrell (Mary) Tukua of Blaine, Minnesota and David (Bill Kahnke) Tukua of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota; ; one sister, Olive Bakke, of Austin, Minnesota; five grandchildren and their spouses; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and two brothers.