Mike Pufahl

Michael Pufahl, age 69, of Milbank, SD, died on August 13, 2024, at Avantara – Milbank Nursing Home.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home Chapel in Milbank, SD. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Friday. 

Michael Reid Pufahl was born on June 8, 1955, in Milbank, SD. He was the son of Jim and LaDonna (Wendt) Pufahl. Mike attended Melrose #13 Country School and then transferred to Milbank Schools. He graduated with the Milbank Class of 1974. After graduation, Mike attended South Dakota State University and received a two-year degree in Feed Science. He worked for GTA/Cargill/ConAgra and farmed with his dad for several years. Most recently, he worked for Bituminous Paving, Inc., until his retirement. 

Mike enjoyed farming with his dad and raising registered Angus cattle. He worked for his dad at the Old Twin Brooks Alfalfa Mill and learned quickly that being the boss’s son did not count when it came to a job. Mike and his dad were pivotal in the ethanol movement, lobbying for its development in South Dakota and in Washington, DC. In the spring of 1980, Mike helped his dad prepare for Jim’s statement before the Subcommittee on Energy of the Joint Economic Committee Congress of the United States Ninety- Sixth Congress Second Session on Alcohol Fuel Policy (Ethanol). Mike compiled the feed cost breakdown for the statement. Jim and Mike were both vested in agriculture’s stake in the energy and farm crisis. Mike helped relocate the Milbank Trap Range north of Milbank and loved shooting sports. He enjoyed hunting pheasants and varmints. By far, Mike’s greatest joy was spending time with his nieces, nephew, and grand-niece and nephew. Sharing wisdom of the world through the eyes of “Uncle Mikey” was taken very seriously.

Mike was a lifelong resident of Milbank. He could be a tough guy when it came to treating, tagging, and giving shots to livestock, but if he cared about someone and they were hurt, he was a big wimp. His sister will always remember the day she broke her arm playing football with Mike; upon showing him the evidence of the broken arm, he dropped like a fly. His friends and family always chuckle when they remember “that time he tried to tackle a Chevy Chevette car.” 

Mike is survived by his brother, Terry Pufahl of Winnsboro, SC; sister, Jeanne (Tim) Pufahl-Ward of Milbank, SD; nieces and nephews: Brittany Bouchard, Corrine (Mavino) Akpavia, John (Celeste) Ward, and Sarah Ward; great-nieces; and great-nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents.