Elwood Clark VanScharrel

Elwood Clark VanScharrel, age 91 of Howard, SD passed away on Friday, December 15th at the Howard Good Samaritan Center. 

Elwood was born on July 27, 1932, on a farm near Argonne to Sievert and Cora (Lusk) VanScharrel.  He graduated from Howard High School in 1950.  After graduation he farmed and drove truck for his dad.  He rented his first quarter of land in Belleview Township. 

Elwood and Ruby (Noble) were married at Belleview Lutheran Church on August 17th, 1952.  He was drafted into the United States Army on January 5th, 1953, and stationed at Camp Hanford in Washington guarding the atomic plant.

Elwood and Ruby lived in Kennewick, WA with four other couples, who were lifetime friends.  He was discharged on January 5th, 1955.

When they came back to South Dakota they lived and began farming near Carthage, SD.  In 1958, they returned to the Grafton and Belleview Township areas.  In 1960 they bought the Stokke place and made this their home for the next 52 years.  In 2012 they moved to their current home in Howard.  In February 2023, Elwood moved to the Howard Good Samaritan Center. 

Elwood loved the country, the land, watching the crops grow, harvesting, testing the wheat/soybeans and corn for moisture, and gardening.   Farming was not only his job it was his hobby.

He always picked the first plum blossoms, lilacs, and other first blooming flowers for Ruby’s table.

He loved baby animals and watching the deer and pheasants from his windows.  He enjoyed watching all sporting events and westerns on TV.   Elwood was always ready to play cards and visit with family and friends.

Elwood was a member of Beach United Methodist Church.  He had a strong, quiet faith.  He was involved in the United Methodist Men and helped plant and harvest the Lord’s Acre.  Elwood sat on the Grafton Township Board for 24 years, was a member of the Howard American Legion Post #145 and served on various other church committees and events. 

Camping at the SD State Fair for 41 years was an annual highlight of Elwood and Ruby’s. He enjoyed all of the 4-H activities and visiting with friends.

Survivors Include his wife Ruby (Noble) of 71 years; five daughters: Debra (& Gene) Gieselman of Olathe KS, Rhonda (& Joe) Reisch of Sioux Falls, Beckie (& Dan) Kaufmann of Sioux Falls, Teresa (& Bob) Poppen of Howard, Brenda (& Bernard) Donahue of Fedora; 14 Grandchildren: Lisa Mansfield, Kevin Gieselman, Angela Binfet, Travis Reisch, Jason Reisch, Ben Kaufmann, Brian Kaufmann, Kristen Mack, Cody Poppen, Katie Crisp, Karisa Polzen, Alisha Neises, Miranda Bender and Evan Donahue; 28 Great-Grandchildren; a brother Boyd (& Marjean) VanScharrel and brother-in-law Ron (& Barb) Timperley. 

He cherished time spent with his family and friends.

Elwood was preceded in death by his parents and sister Karen Timperley.

The funeral service for Elwood will be on Wednesday, December 20th at 11:00am at Beach United Methodist, Howard, with the burial at Graceland Cemetery, Howard and meal to follow.  The family will be present at 10:00am to visit with friends and family. The service will be livestreamed on the church Facebook page.

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