Elwood Lewlyn Lippert

Elwood Lewlyn Lippert, age 82, of Yankton, South Dakota, passed into the loving arms of his Savior on Friday, March 9, 2018 after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's disease. Funeral services are 10:30 AM, on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at First Assembly of God Church in Yankton with Pastor Mikal Simmons officiating. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Yankton. Visitation is from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, on Monday, March 12 at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Visitation continues one hour prior to the funeral at the church. Pallbearers are Kari Barta, Amanda Barta, Justin Lippert, Shawna Riibe, Brad Riibe and Alex Fitz. Honorary pallbearers are Nicole, Melissa and Timothy Carlson, Laurie and Taylor Hohstadt, Joshua Porth, Seth, Ashley and Jamie Brooks, and Jeremy Carlson in memory. Elwood was born July 22, 1935 on the family farm near Tripp, SD to Edward and Christina (Mudder) Lippert. Elwood was the 5th of 7 children. After finishing 8th grade, he stayed on the farm to help with his younger siblings, Danelda and Eldean. At around age 21, he left the farm to work at the Yankton State Hospital (Human Services Center) as a nurse's aid and later as a custodian. In 1962, shortly after arriving in Yankton, he met the love of his life, Janet (Tieszen) Lewno, a widow with two young girls, Lynette and Alvina, at the Yankton Assembly of God Church. They were married May 10, 1963 and he became an instant father, raising Janet's girls as his own. Elwood and Janet raised four more children, Myrna, Wade, Shari, and Lewlyn "Lee". Elwood worked for the Human Services Center until his retirement. After retirement, he became the head custodian for Yankton Assembly of God Church where he was a faithful member. Elwood loved the Lord Jesus with all of his heart. He was a prayer warrior, always lifting those he loved before the throne of God. He would often be found sitting in his chair with his Bible open, reading and praying. Elwood was an avid basketball and football fan. He loved the Green Bay Packers and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Many nights he could be seen on the sidelines of Yankton High School boys and girls games cheering them on even after his children were grown. Our hearts are heavy with grief, but filled with hope for we know he is now in the presence of his Savior and reunited with his beloved wife, Janet. Until we see you again, Dad, we love you. Elwood's greatest joy were his six children who survive him: Lynette Carlson (John Lelonek) of Brainard, MN, Alvina Hohstadt (Robbie) of Salinas, CA, Myrna Barta (Don) of Sioux Falls, Wade Lippert (Teri) of Yankton, Shari Porth (John) of Sioux Falls, and Lewlyn "Lee" Lippert of Navarre, FL; 14 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren: Hayden, Elena, Libbi, Nolee and Rupert; brothers, Elroy (Ruth) Lippert of Parkston, SD and Eldean Lippert of Yankton; and sister, Danelda VanDuysen of Wagner, SD. Elwood was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Janet on May 9, 2015; grandson, Jeremy Carlson; and sisters, Marcella Voigt, Leola Lukkes, and Darlene (Baumiller) Zangle. To send an online message to the family, please visit www.wintzrayfuneralhome.com.