John F. Tulowetzke, age 87, of Milbank died on Friday, October 11, 2019, at St. William’s Care Center in Milbank. Funeral services will be... John Tulowetzke

John F. Tulowetzke, age 87, of Milbank died on Friday, October 11, 2019, at St. William’s Care Center in Milbank.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 22, at 10:30 a.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank. Pastor Timothy Koch will officiate. Burial will be at St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery in Milbank. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 21, at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank and one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday.

John Francis Tulowetzke was born on August 6, 1932, in Alban Township, SD, to Elmer and Marie (Schuchard) Tulowetzke. He was raised near Milbank.

His first adult job was working at Dakota Granite in Milbank, SD, as a quarryman from 1949 to 1951. On April 28, 1951, he joined the SD National Guard. One year later, he deployed to Korea to participate in the conflict. After his discharge in 1954, he moved his family to Milbank, SD, and returned to Dakota Granite. In 1957, he reenlisted in the US Army and completed 22 years of service in various US bases, Germany, Thailand, and in the Vietnam War. He retired in Colorado Springs, CO, where he had a painting and home maintenance company. He returned to Milbank in 1996.

John was an avid fisherman throughout his life. He fished all over the United States of America and Germany. He would tell you when you got into his boat, “it does not come ashore unless we have our full limit, no less!” On more than one occasion, a son or nephew would have to swim ashore or get into someone else’s boat to come ashore. John enjoyed coffee with his friends in town. John recently became a member of Emanuel Lutheran Church. John enjoyed his career in the Army and would relish telling the stories of his service. He was very proud of the fact that his sons, three sons-in-law, a daughter-in-law, many grandsons, and a granddaughter served or are currently serving in the military.

John leaves behind a brother, George of Rapid City, SD; two sisters: Verna Reiners of Sioux Falls, SD; and Donna Kasuske of Milbank, SD; children: Kathy Miller (Mark – Air Force) of Indianapolis, IN; John F. Tulowetzke, Jr. – Army (Sandra Yeatts) of Anniston, AL; and Charles L. Tulowetzke – USMC (Barbara Goluchowski – USMC) of Springfield, VA; son-in-law, Joe Digmann – Army of Alliance, NE; grandchildren: Michael Miller – Air Force (Kim), Audrey Songer (Chad Kelly), Erica Miller – Air Force/Army, Jeramiah Digmann, Jason Digmann – National Guard (Tera), Joshua Digmann -National Guard (Katie), Jared Digmann – National Guard (Ashley), Angela Ray Martin, Patricia Ann Ryals (Johnny), Brenda, Darlene (JD), Christopher Tulowetzke, Stephanie Tulowetzke, Heather Wittrock (Curtis), Bradley Hunter, Christopher Hunter; 15 great-grandchildren, and many cousins and friends who will miss him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dale; sister-in-law, Aya; bother-in-law, Duane Reiners; two sons: James and Gary; two daughters: Mary Ann and Rose; one grandson, James; and one great-great-grandson, Brandon.

Mundwiler Funeral Home

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