Milton Fischer

Milton Fischer, age 98 of Milbank died September 10, 2016, at Golden Living Center in Milbank.

Funeral service will be held on Friday, September 16 at 10:30 a.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank. Rev. Bill Cornelius will officiate and burial with military honors will be at the Milbank Cemetery.

Visitation will be at Mundwiler Funeral Home on Thursday from 5 – 7 p.m. and continue at the church on Friday, one hour prior to the service.

The organist will be Sarah Miller. Casket bearers will be: Brian Buttke, Marty Buttke, Brent Buttke, Brad Buttke, Jim Buttke, Steve Berkner, and Duane Hillman.

Military honors will be presented by American Legion, Birch-Miller Post #9, VFW Grant County Post #3486, VVA Northeast SD Chapter #1054, and DAV Chapter 19.

Milton Fischer was born on June 4, 1918, in Milbank, SD to Ewald and Alma (Buerkle) Fischer. He was baptized June 21, 1918, and confirmed April 9, 1933, both at Emanuel Lutheran Church of Milbank, and by Rev. Wessler. Milton attended grade school in Milbank, and later graduated from Milbank High School in 1936.

He was united in marriage with Lorraine Hausauer on June 23, 1940, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ortonville, MN. Milton served in the United States Navy from July 17, 1943 until December 1, 1945. He achieved the rank of Pharmacist Mate 1st Class and received an honorable discharge.

Milton and Lorraine operated Fischer’s Studio for 43 years where he was a photographer. He dedicated many years to public service. He was Mayor of Milbank from 1954-1969; President of the State Municipal League in 1968; County Commissioner from 1970-1982 and President of the State County Commissioners Association in 1981. He also served on the South Dakota Water Rights Commission for 14 years, representing the Municipalities of South Dakota. He was a member the American Legion, Birch-Miller Post #9 for 70 years. He was a lifetime member of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank, and associate member of Eternal Life Church in Mesa, AZ while wintering there for many years.

Milton is survived by his daughter, Carol (Richard) Forcell of Corpus Christi, TX; daughter-in-law, Becky Fischer of Rapid City, SD; two grandchildren: Jennifer (Ben) Wikinman and Michael Fischer all of Anchorage, AK; two sisters: Alma (Eldred) Buttke of Corona, SD; Beverly (LaValle) Berkner of Ortonville, MN; one brother, Rev. Arnold (Marjory) Fischer of Great Falls, MT; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Lorraine; his son David; and one sister, Irma Roth.