Gregerson, William A. 1919-2009

GREGERSON, NAESSIG, SANNES

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 4/14/2009 at 20:45:43

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, April 10, 2009

The Rev. William A. Gregerson, 89, of Sioux Falls, S.D., died Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at Southridge Health Care Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Rev. William Arthur Gregerson was born June 13, 1919, the son of Arthur and Hazel (Naessig) Gregerson. He was raised near Webster, S.D., where he graduated from high school. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was married to Mildred Sannes on Nov. 22, 1941. After his service in the military, he returned to farm the Sannes homestead near Lily, S.D.

He farmed until 1950, when he was called to go into the ministry. At that time he sold the farm and moved the family to Decorah, Iowa, where he attended Luther College, then to St. Paul, Minn., where he attended Luther Seminary. He was ordained in 1957 and served churches in McVille, N.D., Metropolis Ill., Forrest and Colfax, Ill., Randall and Story City, Iowa, Lake Mills, Iowa, Craig, Iowa, Ortley, S.D. and Waubay, S.D. He retired from the ministry in 2004 at the age of 85.

Bill was a man of many interests, having trained as a blacksmith, a John Deere tractor repairman, an airplane mechanic, a farmer, an auto mechanic and a minister. He could play the harmonica and the accordion. He loved animals and was beloved by his many, many pets. He enjoyed polka music, barbershop music and Lawrence Welk.

He could fix anything that had a motor, and enjoyed tinkering. He was a collector of old cars, and would travel extensively to attend auctions if he thought there might be a rusted out Model T he could fix up. He liked licorice, root beer, ice cream, and Swiss cheese. He enjoyed growing tomatoes and roses.

He had a special gift for comforting fussy babies, and could get the most distraught child to sleep with ease. Although he could never remember a punch line, he loved a good joke. His hobby in recent years was to read the Bible, from cover to cover, several times per year.

He is survived by his brother, LaVerne Gregerson; his children, Dale Gregerson, Ellen Johnson, Anna Gregerson, Laura Pavalis, Mary (Karl) Warns, and their spouses; 19 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren. He will be deeply mourned by those who loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Howard Gregerson; grandson, Brock Johnson; sons, William, Karl, and David; and his wife, Mildred.

A visitation will be 2 p.m. today (Friday) at George Boom Funeral Home in Sioux Falls with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m. A second visitaion will be 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, at Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster, S.D., with the family present. A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Monday at St. John's Lutheran Church in Webster with burial at a later date.

In lieu of memorials, the family asks that you make a contribution to the Bible camp of your choice and provide encouragement to your local church youth group.