Bells are ringing and Heaven is singing as a new Saint has come home. Delmer began his final career as a Saint on December 12, 2024 at the age of 90.
Delmer Dale Hemeyer was born in rural Douglas County, SD on January 18, 1934. He grew up on the family farm south of Stickney, SD until he joined the Army in 1952. He served his country both stateside and a tour in Korea. After his discharge, Delmer returned to Stickney and purchased a farm to start his farming career. He met the love of his life on a blind date at the local roller-skating rink, and later married Harriet F. Smith on June 22, 1958. While busy farming and sheep shearing, Delmer and Harriet welcomed four awesome daughters, Darla, Darlene, Donna, and Denise into their lives. On December 31, 1968, Delmer sold the farm and moved to Spearfish where he bought the Luxury Lodge Motel. While there, they welcomed their amazing son, Darwin. Delmer sold the motel a few years later and began his next career in the construction industry. Delmer, along with his brother Gail, started Hemeyer Construction. Delmer, with Harriet at his side, continued to run Hemeyer Construction and later Hemeyer Rentals until his supposed retirement. Although he said he retired, he continued working with his hands doing custom woodworking for local builders and lumber yards. After Harriet’s unexpected death, Delmer remarried in 2004 to Grace Unruh and remained in Spearfish until his passing.
Delmer enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling, gardening, woodworking, and watching grandkids play sports. He loved the chaos of his big, loud family while making wonderful memories of holidays, summer visits, vacations and time spent with his family. He was full of wisdom and always ready to impart such things like “don’t take any wooden nickels” “thanks for the warning” “Choices/Consequences” and “keep it under 100” to anyone that would listen. He loved to tell stories of his trips to Germany, England, and Alaska and life growing up on the farm.
Delmer will forever be missed by his children: Darla (Ed) Pearson, Darlene (Dave) McCarthy, Donna (Roger) Bentz, Denise Kemp, Darwin (Christina) Hemeyer, wife Grace and brother Gail (Midge) Hemeyer. Thirteen Grandchildren: Daniel (Lindsay) McCarthy, Matthew (Maria) Kemp, Ashley (Dustin) Metesh, Mellissa (Michael) Reimer, Justin Kemp, Allen (Brenda) Hemeyer, Aaron (Caitlin) Bentz, Carrie (Mark) Pedri, Brandon (Kendra Back) Kemp, Alexsis Kemp, Abigail, Alexander, and Austin Hemeyer. Fourteen Great Grandchildren plus three more expected soon. Delmer is also survived by his brother, Gail (Midge) Hemeyer and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
He was joyously welcomed into Heaven by his beloved wife Harriet, parents Hans and Martha, sister Jeanette, son-in-law Ed, and countless family and friends.
Thank you, Delmer, for being the most amazing Dad, Husband, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, and Friend. Your values, wisdom, and legacy will continue to live on in all of us.
Visitation will be 4:00 – 6:00 pm on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel, Spearfish SD. A funeral service will be conducted at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Spearfish SD on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at 10:30 AM. Interment will follow at the Black Hills National Cemetery with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Spearfish American Legion Baseball or Our Saviors Lutheran Church youth programs in the name of Delmer Hemeyer.
Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com
