Samuel E. Begeman

Samuel Edward Begeman was born in Parker, South Dakota on October 11, 1914. He died on September 20, 2010 at the Tieszen Memorial Home in Marion, South Dakota. He was nearly 96 years old. He was the second child of Edward F. Begeman and Tena (Buse) Begeman. His older sister was Henrietta (Cink) and his younger sister was Caroline (Jackson); two younger brothers were Edward F. Jr. and Herbert. He was preceded in death by his parents and his four siblings. His infant years were spent living in Parker over the Main Street harness and shoe shop of his grandparents Simon and Kera (Haase) Begeman, early pioneer residents of Parker, which was operated by his father and grandfather. At the age of 3 he moved with his family to the Begeman Farm between Parker and Marion where he spent the rest of his life assisting his father and later farming himself. As a young man he spent some time in Los Angles with his grandmother Kera (Haase) Begeman where he became interested in bodybuilding and the art of boxing. During the great depression, he was needed on the farm and did not attend high school, he served in the National Guard and was a State Golden Gloves Champion and in the Golden Gloves competition in Chicago. Elizabeth (Betty) Cook of Sioux Falls and Sam met in Parker. They were married November 1940, and enjoyed almost 70 years of married life. Seven children were born – two girls and five boys. They farmed for a few years, then gave California life a short try, but returned to the farm in less than a year. Sam’s hometown boxing was legendary particularly at the Turner County Fairs, but mostly he concentrated on farming. He was a Parker pioneer in dairy farming and early soil conservationist from the late 1940’s and continued it until retirement. For several years Sam enjoyed deer and antelope hunting in the Hills and occasional fishing excursions. He enjoyed competing in drag racing at Thunder Valley with the able help of his younger children. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a longtime member of the Parker Masonic Lodge and El Riad Shrine, served on the country school board and Marion Township Board, and was a lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Parker. After retirement, Sam and Betty spent many years ‘motor homing’ and visiting their children and grandchildren from the east to west coasts, and frequently wintering in south Texas with family members. They spent many happy winters in their mobile home in McAllen, socializing with fellow “winter Texans” and enjoying the mild weather. Winter traveling was enjoyable, but getting home in early spring to get the garden planted was a priority. Sam enjoyed taking video pictures in their travels and spending time with their family. Grateful for having shared his life are his survivors: wife Elizabeth, seven children (and spouses): Samuel (June Hansen) of Kerrville TX, Joseph of Golden CO, Douglas of Westminster CA, Mary (Jim Schaefer) of Crestwood MO, Maxwell. (Karen Schimkat) of Palm City FL, John (Patricia Hansen) of Rapid City SD, and Christena (Randall Orwig) of Carbondale KS, 21 grandchildren, and 36 great grand children. Visitation with family present will be on Thursday September 23 at the Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home Chapel in Parker from 6:00 to 8:00pm, with a Masonic Rites Service at 7:30pm followed by a short prayer service open to the public. Funeral services will be held Friday September 24, 2010 at 1:30 pm in the First Presbyterian Church of Parker with burial in Rosehill Cemetery, Parker. Memorials may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church of Parker SD.