Duane Seehafer
Obituaries January 27, 2025 Mundwiler Funeral Home 0

Duane Seehafer, age 89, of Milbank, SD, passed away on Friday, January 24, 2025, at Milbank Area Hospital – Avera Health.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank. Pastor Chris Davis will officiate. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Thursday, one hour prior to the service. Military Honors will follow the service outside of the church. Inurnment will be at Kilborn Lutheran Cemetery at a later date.
Duane Dean Seehafer was born to Frederick “Fritz” and Elsie “Lizzie” (Rohlfs) Seehafer on September 27, 1935, on the family farm northwest of Corona in Roberts County, South Dakota. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Corona.
Duane attended country school at Garfield School #3. He graduated from the eighth grade, after which he worked on the family farm. On August 8, 1958, he was drafted into the United States Army, but his service was cut short when he was called home to run the family farm because of his father’s declining health. He was honorably discharged on April 9, 1959. Returning to the farm brought great joy to Duane. The grain and dairy farm, which had been started by his parents, was a source of immense pride for him.
Duane and Patricia “Pat” Keller married on August 25, 1961, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank. They raised five children on the same family farm established near Corona. The couple managed a 36-cow dairy farm for many years while also growing crops.
Through a carefully monitored breeding system, participation in Dairy Herd Improvement Association testing and detailed record-keeping, Duane and Pat developed the small herd into what was known locally as some of the best dairy cattle around. They passed their knowledge and love of farming to their children. The family was honored for its lengthy agricultural heritage when the operation was recorded as a Century Farm in South Dakota.
In the early 2000s, the couple sold the high-producing grade Holstein dairy cattle and transitioned to raising sheep. Both Duane and Pat enjoyed the change of pace, having noted that it didn’t hurt nearly as much if a ewe tried to push a person around. They transitioned into retirement as their son, Todd, and grandson, Brady, took over operating the farm.
The couple moved off the farm and into Milbank in 2015, but they enjoyed watching and advising as the next generations worked the land that had been in the family for so many years. They also began to enjoy spending a substantial amount of time at their cabin on Big Stone Lake. Duane became a widower in 2017 but remained at the couple’s home in Milbank until moving to Peaceful Pines Senior Living in 2022. After the move into Milbank, Duane transferred his church affiliation to Emanuel Lutheran Church.
Duane enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, fishing for all varieties except bass, hunting and playing games of pool. He enjoyed pool more if he was on the winning end of the score. Known for his quiet and kind demeanor and willingness to forgive, he was well-liked by everyone who knew him.
Duane is survived by his children: Teresa (Tony) Gaier of Albuquerque, NM; Jeff (Holli) Seehafer of Twin Brooks, SD; Kris Prins of Estelline, SD; Todd (Brenda) Seehafer of Corona, SD; and Brett (Susan VonEschen) Seehafer of Corona, SD; grandchildren: Jessica Seehafer; Jennifer Seehafer; Jacob (Kylie) Prins; Danielle (Mark) Larson; Brady (Jimmie) Seehafer; Brent (Luke) Seehafer; Taylor Seehafer; Caleb Seehafer; Haeley Seehafer; and Sawyer Seehafer; and great-granddaughters: Naomi Larson; Frankie Seehafer; and Ronnie Seehafer; and great-grandson, McCoy Larson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, and four siblings: Evelyn Berg; Viola Frerichs; Maxine Gerdes; and Myron Seehafer.
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