Laurel Pistorius

Laurel D. Pistorius, 83, Sisseton, SD, formerly of Browns Valley, MN, passed away Friday, February 5, 2016, at Coteau des Prairies Hospital in Sisseton.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, February 10, at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Browns Valley, with Rev. Paul Warnier officiating. Music will be provided by organist Ginny Westbrock.
Burial will be in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Harmon Township, SD. Military honors will be provided by the William Krensing American Legion Post 58 of Browns Valley. Honorary pallbearers will be the Tekakwitha Nursing Center staff and the Edgewood Assisted Living staff. Active pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Aaron and Kristin Pistorius, Tyler Volk and Tiffany (Brett) Storm, Jeremy, Jonathan, Joshua and Joseph Pistorius, Eric and Justin McLane, and Alyssa and Victoria Jorgenson.
Visitation will be Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the church. Visitation will continue Wednesday one hour prior to the service at the church. The Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt is in charge of the arrangements.
Laurel Darold Pistorius was born June 14, 1932, in Browns Valley, MN, to John and Elsie (Kuehl) Pistorius. On July 10, 1932, he was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Windom, SD, and later confirmed on April 14, 1946. Laurel attended grade school in Windom, SD and West Central School of Agriculture in Morris, MN. He was a veteran, serving in the US Army during the Korean Conflict, 1953-1955.
On September 22, 1956, Laurel married Janet Vig at Bethel Lutheran Church in Claire City, SD. Together they raised four children on the family farm in rural Browns Valley. Laurel loved to farm and raise livestock and was known as a man who could make and fix anything in his shop. His ingenuity allowed him to turn scrap material into useable shop tools. His skills landed him an article in the April 2000 issue of Successful Farming , a national farming magazine. Laurel's hobbies also included playing the organ and refinishing antique furniture.
Laurel was a dedicated family man with a strong faith. Since Janet's battle began with rheumatoid arthritis in 1989 he has shown tremendous love and commitment caring for her. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and had a special bond with his great-grandchild Hayden. In 2009, due to a stroke, Laurel was forced to retire from farming and he made his home at Greenleaf Assisted Living in Sisseton. In September 2013 he moved to the Tekakwitha Nursing Center.
Laurel was a member of William Krensing American Legion Post 58 and Zion Lutheran Church where he served as trustee, chairman, and elder. He also served on the Rosholt Elevator Board, Browns Valley School Board, and Bryant Township Board.
Survivors include his wife, Janet of Sisseton; four children, Mark (Jeanette) Pistorius of Sisseton, Susan (Tim) Volk of Madison, MN, David (Glenda) Pistorius of West Fargo, ND, and Nancy (Scott) Jorgenson of West Fargo; 10 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren, one great-grandchild; one brother, Alvin (Lorna) Pistorius; two sisters, Elaine (Bill) Edwards and Sharlyn (Bob) Pekeldar; and sister-in-law, Sharon Pistorius, and many nephews and nieces.
Laurel was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Donald; and infant sister, Arlene. Blessed be his memory.