Louis "Chip" Brewer

Louis “Chip” Brewer, age 70, of Yankton, South Dakota was taken to his Heavenly home on Saturday, February 8, 2025 where he was surrounded by his family.

Funeral services are 10:30 AM, on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at Calvary Baptist Church in Yankton with Reverend Errin Mulberry officiating. Burial will be in the Yankton Cemetery with military honors provided by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post No. 791 and the SD Army National Guard Funeral Honors with David Nelson and James Kleinschmit playing Taps and Luke Kleinschmit presenting the flag. Visitation is one hour prior to the funeral at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton.

Pallbearers are Adam Nemec, Tyler Kleinschmit, Geoffrey Kleinschmit, Eric Kleinschmit, Brian Kleinschmit, Bill Steffen, Pete Steffen and Adam Hansen.

Louis was born November 19, 1954 in Yankton, South Dakota to Louis and Dorothy (Redwing) Brewer. He lived in various places as he grew up and spent time in foster care for several years. He was eventually adopted by Don and Jane Alver, his high school Sunday schoolteacher. Louis was also known as Chip because his aunt thought he had cute chipmunk cheeks as a baby. Chip was employed by Sunshine Foods in high school. Chip enlisted in the United States Army on July 1974 with his friend, Robert Haas. He married the love of his life, Kathleen “Kathy” Kleinschmit on June 23, 1975 in Yankton, South Dakota. While in the Army, he earned his high school diploma graduating from Ozark, Alabama. Chip was honorably discharged from active duty on July 18, 1977 after three years of service and returned to Yankton. He found his church family at Calvary Baptist. He joined the SD Army National Guard and enjoyed a 25 year military career. Chip spent his working career at the US Army Corps of Engineers in Yankton. He started out as a janitor of the visitor’s center, then became a civil engineering tech, and ended up in outside maintenance which he enjoyed very much. Chip enjoyed working with the inmates and teaching them life skills on the job. He loved fixing things and working with his hands. Chip retired from the Corps after 40 plus years of service. He truly enjoyed listening to music, canoeing, camping, traveling with his family and friends and loved to go on a drive. Chip had a big heart and was always willing to help someone in need. He loved his family above all else and treasured the time spent with his grandsons.

Chip is survived by his wife, Kathy Brewer of Yankton; three children: Heather (David) Nelson of Casper, WY, Jason (Alyssa) Brewer of Omaha, NE and Alison (James) Bergdorf of Omaha; three grandsons: Conrad and Christopher Bergdorf and Wilder Brewer; six siblings: Jeff Wilson of Hamilton, GA, Bill Brewer of Wilmington, NC, Joe (Susan) Brewer of Yankton, Donna (Loren) Darnell of Antioch, TN, Audrey (Jeff) Hauck of Sturgis, SD and Alan (Loretta) Alver of Emmetsburg, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

Chip was preceded in death by his adopted parents, Don and Jane Alver; his biological parents, Louis and Dorothy Brewer; and brother, Larry Alver.