Armand H. Wiebelhaus

Armand H. Wiebelhaus, age 87, of Yankton, South Dakota died on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM, on Monday, October 9, 2023 at St John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fordyce, Nebraska with Reverend Jim Keiter officiating.  Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery. Visitation is from 3:00 to 5:00 PM on Sunday, October 8, with a vigil service at 4:30 PM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fordyce. Visitation will resume one hour prior to funeral. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Yankton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fordyce for masses to be said for the repose of Armand’s soul.

Pallbearers are Armand’s grandchildren: Luke Carl, Roy Carl, Justin Bochman, Kylie Bochman Margaret Wiebelhaus and Wyatt Wiebelhaus. 

Armand was born September 26, 1936 at home on the home place ½ mile north of Fordyce to Art and Erna (Juergens) Wiebelhaus. He was baptized on September 27 by Fr. Dan Reifenrath in Fordyce and grew up on a farm in the Fordyce area.  He attended Grades 1 through 8 at the St. John the Baptist Grade School, 9^th and 10^th grade in Fordyce at High School and 11^th and 12^th grade at Heelan High School in Sioux City, Iowa.  Armand stayed on the farm and farmed with his dad until his sudden death in 1961. 

Armand married Angela Lammers on June 6, 1961 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fordyce.  Four children were born to this union.  Jody, Jill, Jane and Art have BLESSED their life and during their time on the farm they helped with household duties, farm chores and providing care and support for Armand’s mother, Erna, until her death. Armand farmed on the homestead of his parents and uncle, Ben Juergens until he retired in 1997. Armand moved to Yankton and allowed his son, Art, to continue the 3rd generation.

Armand helped construct the dam system on the Missouri River. He hauled many wheelbarrow loads of cement to construct the spillway at Gavins Point Dam. Armand helped local neighbors very young being barefoot thrashing oats and leveling oats on wagons on those hot July days.  Shoes in the summertime weren’t an option because money had to be saved for when Armand went to school in the fall.  His salary was $1.00 a day and the farm women always had great dinner and lunches.  Multiple other jobs were pulling cock-o-burrs on hands and knees for Kuchta’s, being an attendant at filling stations and working with Goeden Construction.  Every day and every evening, Armand milked cows, helped hay and raised hogs until his retirement. Armand enjoyed being the catcher for the Fordyce baseball team and other local baseball teams.

Armand’s special quality was his ability to initiate a conversation with anyone. His favorite past times were playing cards of any kind with family and friends from Fordyce, Hartington, and Wisconsin. He also enjoyed vacations in Colorado, Alaska, Kenai Peninsula, Canada, and Nova Scotia organized by sisters-in-law. After retiring, he enjoyed helping at the House of Mary Shrine doing various tasks, for a short time. He was president of parish council and school board and trustee for the parish in Fordyce and Catholic Order of Foresters for 75 plus years.

Armand is survived by his wife, Angela of Yankton; three daughters: Jody (Dan) Carl of Hartington, NE, Jill DeGroot of Wildwood, MO, and Jane (Jeff) Bochman of Yankton; one son, Art (Lora) Wiebelhaus of Fordyce; 10 grandchildren: Luke (Emily), Roy (Amanda), Reagan (Barrett), Cliff (fiancé Haley), Thomas, Nick, Justin (Mallory), Kylie, Maggie, and Wyatt;  great grandchildren, Mercedes, Keegan, Carson, Cameron, Keira, June, Moses, Hailey, Josh, and Elaina; sister, Charlotte Pick of Hartington; sisters-in-law, Charlene (Gerald) Wiebelhaus and Dorothy (Dennis) Wiebelhaus; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Gerald, Dennis, and Allyn and his wife, Charlotte; brother-in-law, Kenny Pick; and special uncle, Ben Juergens.