George Tapken, age 91, of Alpena, passed away on Tuesday, October 29 ^th at Avera Weskota Memorial Medical Center in Wessington Springs. His funeral service is at 10:30 AM on Friday, November 8, 2019 at Zion Lutheran Church in Wessington Springs, with burial at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery with military honors. Visitation with the family present will be on Thursday, November 7, from 5-7 PM at Welter Funeral Home; or visitation one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. A Prayer Service will begin at 6:30 PM on Thursday evening at the funeral home.

George Leroy Tapken was born on February 4, 1928 in Jerauld County to parents John and Emma (Siefken) Tapken. He was welcomed by 3 older siblings, Vernon, Wendell, and Gertrude. Later Norman and Thelma joined the family to make it complete. He lived his entire life in Jerauld County except for a brief time at rural Onida working for Lyle Nelson and while he served in the Korean Conflict.

George lived on the family farm which was purchased by the Siefken grandparents in 1887, making the farm a Century Farm. His mother, Emma, was born in the house where he lived.

George "Jim" married Elizabeth "Jean" Reilly on January 3, 1953. To this union, four children were born; Janice, James, Julie and Jackie. He, along with Jean and the four children, worked side by side and together were instrumental in assuring daily tasks were completed to ensure the success of the farm. Milking cows was a twice a day ritual. Tasks included picking rocks, cutting blue grass, feeding the animals, mowing hay, stacking bales and canning garden produce. These were menial but necessary jobs to keep a farm running.

Jean passed away January 1990. Later that year, Jim married Mary Lu Gran, she passed away in 2004.

Jim attended Zion Lutheran Church in Wessington Springs. He served as an usher, board chairman, and was a faithful member until his death. He was congregational President in 2014 when the tornado destroyed the parsonage, damaged the church as well as many buildings in the city. It became his personal mission as president to make sure the church was rebuilt. He was at the site daily to help with the decisions that needed to be made to rebuild. He was also a member of the William Fee American Legion and the Wessington Springs VFW.

Preceding him in death are his parents; his wives, Jean and Mary Lu; son-in-law, Lyle Christensen, daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Tapken, siblings Vernon, Wendell (Olive), and Gertrude (Howard) Schramm; Brother-in-law Henry Hansen, siblings-in-law, Richard Reilly, Don (Nadine) Reilly, Robert Reilly, Helen (Art) Jager, and Harlan Mentzel; as well as his father and mother-in-law, Charles and Averil Reilly.

Survivors include his children; Janice Christensen of Huron, Jim (Dianne) Tapken of Huron, Julie (Bernie) Linn of Pierre and Jackie (Dan) Bolster of Drummond, MT; grandchildren, Wade (Christi) Christensen, Charlie (Randi) Christensen, Anna (Dan) Nelson, Eric Price, Allie (Jason) Joel, John (Nola) Tapken, Megan (Adam) Bertsch, Sarah (Mason Propst) Linn, Cleveland (Nichole) Bolster, Cole (Jess) Bolster, Tony (Cassie) Obr, and Erin (Seth) Mills. Great-grandchildren, Quinten, Landen, Hayes, Jaxon, Keaton, Loagon, Hadley, Parker, Owen, Maryanne, Vanessa, Skye, Dylan, Reagan, Libby, Makenzie, Andrew, Elliot, Oskar, Camden, Quinn, Paisley, Aubrey, Emma, Noah, Aubree, William, and Baby Bolster due in March. Siblings Thelma Hansen, Norm (Wanda) Tapken and siblings-in-law, Adeline Reilly, Judi Reilly, and Alice Mentzel. He is also survived by his friend Penny Borkowski.

The family would like to thank Mark and Carol Steichen, Bruce, Gary and Gerry Orth and their families for helping George with so many things so he could remain in his house. Special thanks to the staff at Avera Weskota Memorial Hospital for their tender care of George on so many occasions.