LeVern Syhre

LeVern Syhre, 90 of Webster died on Friday, February 6, 2015 at his home in Webster. Funeral services will be at 2:00 P.M. Friday, February 13, 2015 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Webster, Rev. Daniel Ostercamp will officiate. Burial will be in Webster Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Thursday 5-7 P.M. then continuing at the church on Friday noon – 2 P.M. LeVern Raymond Syhre was born on May 30, 1924 on the family farm in Farmington Township, Day County, South Dakota near Langford to Olof and Emma (Flattum) Syhre. He was baptized and confirmed at Falnes Lutheran Church. He attended country school in the Pierpont and Langford areas. After he received his education he farmed with his father until entering the U.S. Army in January 1945. He served during World War II in the infantry and Signal Corps, attaining the rank of Tech Sergeant in the Pacific. He later served with the occupation forces in Korea until his discharge in October of 1946. On July 27, 1947 he was united in marriage to Hazel Grinager at Fron Lutheran Church near Roslyn, South Dakota. He was employed at Storsteen’s Garage, which later became Loyal Chevrolet in Webster from 1947 to 1981, as Service Manager. He completed classes at Dunwoody Institute and General Motors Training Center in Minneapolis. In 1981, he worked for Community Oil Company in Roslyn until 1987, and then part-time until retirement in 1997. He also procured boats and cars for local dealers in Webster, delivering them as far away as Texas. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Webster where he served on the Church Council. He was a volunteer fireman for many years. He also belonged to the American Legion and V.F.W. in Webster and the Moose Lodge in Aberdeen. He loved golfing, especially with his grandson, Luke, and fishing, hunting and gardening. He could fix anything and was called “Grandpa Fix.” His philosophy of life was, “Tell the truth. Try not to run anybody down. Keep your feelings to yourself. Try to help people.” LeVern had a joke for every occasion and a great sense of humor. He made other people laugh, sometimes until they cried. LeVern passed away on Friday, February 6, 2015 at his home in Webster, after being lovingly cared for by his wife since his health began to fail in April 2014. He was 90 years, 8 months and 7 days old. Survivors include his wife, Hazel of Webster; one son, Bruce of St. Paul, MN; one daughter, Joy (David) Johnson of Webster; a daughter-in-law, Cathy Syhre of Brewerton, New York; one sister, Luella Burns of Coon Rapids, MN; 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Clifford and Maynard, one sister, Emogene Ives and a son, Larry.