Gary L. Deurmier, 68 of Wagner

Funeral services will be 10:30 am Saturday, September 19, 2009 at the United Methodist Church in Wagner. Burial will be in the ZCBJ Cemetery, rural Wagner. Visitation will be at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner from 9 am to 5 pm Friday, followed by a 7 pm prayer service at the church.

Gary Lee Deurmier, son of Lester and Marian (Hyde) Deurmier, was born October 20, 1940 at Wagner, SD. He died Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Gary attained the age of 68 years, ten months and 27 days.

Gary graduated from Wagner High School in 1957 and Southern State Teachers' College in Springfield in 1958 with a degree in diesel mechanics.

Gary married Mary Ann Walters on June 24, 1961. Three children were blessed to their union.

Gary worked on the Oahe Dam in Pierre from 1959 to 1962 and the Platte-Winner Bridge from 1963 to 1964. The family moved to Geneseo, IL and he worked at the Quad Cities Nuclear Power Plant in Cordova, IL from 1965 to 1972. The family moved to the farm west of Wagner in 1972 and have been there the past 37 years. Gary also was a seeds dealer for Keltjen, Mycogen and Midwest Seed Companies.

Gary served on the Wagner/Lake Andes Ambulance District Board for three years and as a 4-H leader for five years.

Gary enjoyed farming, playing cards and attending his grandchildren's activities. He also enjoyed playing accordion in his younger days.

Thankful for having shared his life are his wife of 48 years, Mary Ann of Wagner; his children: Kimberly Soukup and husband Mark of Wagner; Duane and wife Patty of Wagner; and Darryl and wife Diane of Lake Andes; eight grandchildren: Serena and Derek Soukup, Kyle, Jason and Kayla Deurmier, and Trevor, Brooke and Brianna Deurmier; three sisters: Judy Uecker and husband Ron of Rapid City; Janice Largo and husband Bob of Wadsworth, IL; and Sharon Blaha and husband Larry of Wagner; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.