Maynard Whitmyre

WEBSTER- Maynard Whitmyre 75 of Webster died on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at his home near Webster. His funeral will be at 2:00 Saturday, April 26, 2008 at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Bristol, Janet Miller will officiate. Burial will be in the Ebenezer Lutheran Cemetery near Butler. Visitation will be at Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster on Friday 4-8 P.M. and prior to services on Saturday at the church. Maynard Judeen Whitmyre was born on Saturday, September 10, 1932 to John and Mabel (Hanson) Whitmyre at the Peabody Memorial Hospital in Webster, South Dakota. The family lived on a farm in Butler Township. He was baptized at Ebenezer Lutheran Church near Butler and later confirmed at Butler Lutheran Church. He attended country school through the 8th grade near his home and then graduated from Webster High School in 1950. After high school he attended SDSU in Brookings. His first job was selling the “Grit” magazine to get enough money to buy his first camera. On August 17, 1958 he married Delores Henrichsen at Butler, South Dakota. After their marriage the couple made their home in Rusk Township southwest of Webster. He farmed with his father and also sold seed corn. While farming Maynard purchased a photography studio in Webster and began his part-time career taking photographs for weddings and graduation pictures. He later moved the studio to his farm. In 1967 he took outside employment with South Dakota Farmers Union as their Field Representative and later as Education Director. In 2003 he was elected Vice-President for one term. He retired from South Dakota Farmers Union with 21 years of service. He then drove for Farmers Union bus tours throughout the United States. He and his wife currently operate Whitmyre Tours. They also farmed and raised beef cattle with their son, Robert. He was a member of Butler Lutheran Church in Butler where he held various church offices. He served as a lay member of the South Dakota Barber Board, served on the Webster School Board, the ITC Board, the Community Action Program Board and a junior member of Community Oil Board. He was a very loyal supporter of cooperatives. He belonged to YMW and the Jaycees where he was named Outstanding Young Farmer. He was very proud of his grandchildrfen. He had quite a sense of humor, was an avid caller to the radio program “Whats Up.” He was proud of his Norwegian heritage, was a long-time member of Sons of Norway and currently President of Odin Lodge. He was currently planning his second trip to Norway to visit relatives with whom he enjoyed corresponding and who had visited here in July 2005 and again in September 2007 to celebrate his 75th birthday. He enjoyed politics, was a life-long Democrat and currently President of Day County Democrats. His hobbies included woodworking, electronics, family photography and enjoyed square dancing in his younger years. Maynard passed away on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at Webster, South Dakota at the age of 75 years, 7 months and 12 days. Survivors include his wife, Delores of Webster, SD; one son, Robert (Tonia) Whitmyre of Webster, SD; two daughters, Patricia (Allen) Sass of Webster, SD and Debra (Jeff) Schiley of Butler, SD; one sister, Lois (Rev. Edward) Olson of Mauston, WI; and nine grandchildren, Briana (Jared) Eickhoff of Bloomington, IL, Cody & Erin Sass of Webster, SD, Jessica, Sarah & Scott Schiley of Butler, SD and Kyle, Brandon, & Caleb Whitmyre of Webster, SD. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Raymond.