Tanner Schwagel

Tanner Schwagel, age 16, of Milbank, SD, passed away on Sunday, October 7, 2018, in Sioux Falls, SD.

Funeral services for Tanner will be Friday, October 12, 2018, at 3:30 p.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD. Rev. Caleb Schewe will officiate. Visitation will be at Emanuel Lutheran Church on Thursday, October 11, 2018, from 5 – 7 p.m. Burial will be at the Milbank City Cemetery.

Casket bearers will be: Justin Layher, Lee Schwagel, Dale Schwagel, Tyler Schwagel, Ryan Schwagel, Eric Schwagel, and Lee Schwagel, Jr. Honorary bearers will be: The Milbank Class of 2021, Northern Lights 4-H Club, and Milbank FFA members.

Tanner Schwagel was born on June 19, 2002, in Breckenridge, MN, to John and Hilary Schwagel. His first home was in rural Wahpeton, ND. When Tanner was three, the family moved back to Milbank. Tanner has four sisters: Cassidy, Brooke, Bailey, and Emersyn. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Corona, SD, and was confirmed in his faith in 2016. His belief and understanding of the Lord’s love and grace gives comfort to who knew him.

Tanner has attended school in Milbank since Kindergarten. He was currently in the 10th grade. He was involved in school activities, which included the FFA Dairy Judging Team, and also enjoyed being with his friends.

Tanner’s love for fishing and hunting was evident at a very early age. The family spent time each summer at Lake Cochran camping and fishing. Many fish were caught, as well as, other items. One time while casting, he hooked his mother’s ear requiring a trip to the hospital. He loved spending time down at the creek, checking for minnows and seeing if there were any fish. He would wander through the pasture to see if there was any wildlife walking around. He shot his first deer at the age of ten. Tanner liked to “prank” his mom and tease his sisters, yet, he had a tender side for them, even though he was a “teenager”.

Tanner was a member of the Northern Lights 4-H Club. Shooting sports and welding were his favorite projects. Each year he would weld under the supervision of his uncle, Justin. The family will forever cherish his project creations. Showing Jersey cows owned by the Souza family was a highlight of his 4-H career. Tanner had a natural knowledge of cows, even though he did not grow up on a dairy farm. Each spring or fall, he would ask to go with his uncle, Justin, to work the neighbor’s cows.

As he entered his teenage years, Tanner began working at Food and Fuel. He enjoyed learning his duties and working for Greg and coworkers. His interest also expanded to spending time with friends, and his new interest of girls, which included Tanner’s special friend, Ellie Dale.

While Tanner left his family much too early, he will never be forgotten. Tanner now lives with our Lord Jesus Christ, and we will be together again in glory.

Cherishing Tanner’s memory are his parents: John and Hilary; siblings: Cassidy, Brooke, Bailey, and Emersyn; grandparents: Charles and Karen Layher of Milbank, SD; Kathy Gibson of Beardsley, MN; and Jerry Gibson of Wilmot, SD; Aunts: Joy (Jeff) Mattison, Jackie (David) Nelson, Cora (Collin) Nordquist, and Susan Schwagel; uncles: Justin (Janet Eastman) Layher, Dale (Robin) Schwagel, and Lee Schwagel; many great aunts, great uncles, numerous cousins, and friends.

Preceding him in death was his grandfather, David Schwagel; his great-grandparents: Woodrow and Mary Layher; and Emery and Helen Anderson; and great-grandparents: Burten and Marguerite Plant; and Red and Esther Schwagel.

If you would like to assist the Schwagel family with funeral expenses, please visit this website!  www.gofundme.com/tanner-schwagel-memorial