Laverne W. Weinreis, 87, of rural Doland, SD, died Sunday, October 19, 2014 at his home. His funeral will be Friday, October 24, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Doland. Pastor Harold Loewen and Reverend Kris Larson will officiate. Burial will be in the Doland Cemetery, with military rites. Visitation will be Thursday from 1-8:00 p.m. with the prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Laverne was born July 7, 1927 in Aberdeen, SD to Walter and Madeline (Burke) Weinreis. He grew up and attended school in the Mellette area. He worked for several area farms before serving in the United States Army from 1946-1947. After the war, he returned to Japan and worked with the Horse Calvary. He recently received the Operation High Land Award, for his military work. After his discharge, Laverne married Phyllis Statlander and they had eight children. They farmed south of Doland. Laverne married Jane Breen-Dykstra in 1979, Jane brought her seven children to the family. Laverne and Jane had two daughters to add to the family. He continued farming and milked cows until 1997.

He enjoyed restoring Ford tractors and tinkering with equipments. He was an animal lover and was always gentle with the pets and livestock.

Laverne was a member of the Doland American Legion.

Laverne is survived by his wife Jane of Doland; his children: Mary (Tom) Anderson of Birchwood, WI; Teresa (Ralph) Perry of Winters, CA; Caleen (William) Keating of Sioux Falls, SD; Gene (Marsha) Weinreis of Doland; Betty (Dan) Weinreis of Hewitt, MN; Bill (Candy) Weinreis of Huron; Bobbi (Kevin Kise) Radcliff of Redfield; and Sandy Weinreis of Greenville, SC. He is also survived by Jane's children: Veronica Neitzel of Webster; Allen (Sheila) Deming of Huron; Dave (Lois) Deming of Huron; Larry Deming of Doland; Jodi (Rory) Moser of Brooks, MN; Curt (Darcy) Dykstra of Redfield; and Mary (Mohammed) ElKarmassi of Watertown; 43 grandchildren and many great grandchildren; his brothers: Joe (Velma) Weinreis of Parachute, CO; Gerald (Beulah) Weinreis of Laurinburg, NC; and Richard (Claudine) Weinreis of Mellette; and his sisters: Helen Oberle of Mellette; Maureen (Dale) Audorff of Tacoma, WA; and Jeanette Graves of El Paso, TX.

He was preceded in death by two sons: Jimmy and Robert, two brothers: Donald and John, one sister Kathleen, and three grandchildren Derek Weinreis, Amanda Weinreis and Jolica Deming.