John Amundson

WEBSTER- John Amundson, 85 of Webster died on Monday, April 19, 2010 at Sanford Hospital in Webster. Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. Friday, April 23, 2010 at American Lutheran Church in Webster, Rev. Jan FitzGibbon officiating. Burial will be in the Webster Cemetery. Visitation will be at Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster on Thursday, 5-7 P.M. and prior to services on Friday at the church. Fiksdalfuneral.com. John Richard Amundson was born on Monday, December 29, 1924 to Lars and Selma Amundson at Peabody Hospital in Webster, South Dakota. He was baptized in 1925 at Tabor Lutheran Church and confirmed in June 1939 in the Lutheran faith at American Lutheran Church. He attended two years of rural school in Highland Township and the remaining elementary and high school at Webster Public Schools. He lived with his family on farms in Raritan, Highland, Rusk and Webster Townships in Day County. His whole life was farming and farmed with his father and brothers, and later with his brother, Kenneth, for many years. He was united in marriage to Nyla Jean Reetz on September 28, 1968 at Webster. After their marriage the couple continued to live on the family farm until April 1996 when the sold the farm and moved to Webster. He was a member of American Lutheran Church since the age of 8, and was active in Luther League, choir, church council, taught Sunday School and the Churchmen’s group. He was active in South Dakota Farmer’s Union, the Democratic Party and Sons of Norway, serving as chairman of each of the groups during his many years of membership. He also served on the Webster Equity Elevator Board, and did many volunteer jobs in the community. John was proud of his Norwegian heritage. He and his wife, Nyla traveled to Norway in 1992 and 1996, and enjoyed it so much since he met many relatives and could speak fluent Norwegian with them. In his spare time, he enjoyed studying, reading and speaking Norwegian. He loved spending time with his family and grandchildren. He also like visiting with friends at the coffee shop. John passed away on Monday, April 19, 2010 at Webster, South Dakota at the age of 85 years, 3 months and 21 days. Survivors include his wife, Nyla of Webster; one son, Wally (and fiancée, Sandra); two daughters, Carol Gulley of Phoenix, AZ and June Lauritson of Nora Springs, IA; one brother, Kenneth (Angie) Amundson of Webster, SD; two sisters, Doris Monson of Roslyn, SD and Frances Swain of Shakopee,MN; seven grandchildren, one great grandchild; and many wonderful nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Larry and one sister, Viola.