Edwin Harry Krell

1929 - 2022

Edwin Harry Krell, 92, of Plankinton, SD passed away Saturday, September 17, 2022 at Aurora-Brule Care & Rehabilitation Center in White Lake, SD. Funeral Mass is 10:00 AM Saturday, September 24, 2022 at St. John's Catholic Church in Plankinton. A Committal Service with Military Honors will follow at Mizpah Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 5:00 – 7:00 PM Friday, September 23, 2022 with 7:00 PM Wake Service. Mount Funeral Home of Plankinton is assisting with arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family through mountfuneralhome.com. The funeral will be live-streamed under "Photos and Videos" on the funeral home website (Webcasting) and through "Mount Funeral Homes" Facebook page.


Edwin Harry Krell was born on November 26, 1929 to Harry N. and Ruth (Lenocker) Krell on the Krell homestead in Eureka Township, Aurora County, SD. He attended grade school at Krell Country School and Plankinton Elementary, completing the eighth grade. Ed and his cousin, Alvin Hoffman, met two young ladies from Wessington Springs, Mary Lou Beckman and Betty Thome, when they were in Plankinton visiting family. Soon after, it was Ed and Mary Lou and Alvin and Betty, the start of lifelong unions for both couples. On November 27, 1950, Ed was united in marriage to Mary Lou Beckman at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Wessington Springs, SD. He had been trucking for his father since the age of 14 when he was drafted in 1951, serving his country in the US Army stationed overseas in France until his honorable discharge on July 30, 1953. Son, Gary was born in 1951, daughter, Cindy in 1955 and son, Mike in 1960.

Then ranching and farming together with Mary Lou five miles west of Plankinton until 1964 when they moved to Plankinton, SD. He continued trucking fulltime until retiring at the age of 90 in February of 2020. Ed had driven millions of miles helping Krell Trucking become one of the oldest continuous trucking families in the state.

Ed was a member of: St. John's Catholic Church; Aurora County VFW Post #6554; Goeres-Woods American Legion Post #5; and the Aurora County Bit and Halter Club in his younger days. He and Dale Hoffman were also rodeo pickup men for the Orville Haines Rodeo Company. Ed was a past member of the South Dakota Trucking Association, serving as a director for several years. Ed enjoyed visiting with friends during coffee and happy hour in retirement.

Grateful for having shared in Ed's life, his two children: Cindy (Bob) Hine of Wessington Springs, SD and Mike (Mary) Krell of Plankinton, SD; a daughter-in-law, Bev Krell of Four Corners, WY; seven grandchildren: Ty (Jenny) Krell, Tandi (Jason) Croghan, Tara (Tav) Sayaloune, Jason Hine, Jacki (Jarrod) Bultsma, Jordan (Theresa) Krell and Justin (Krista) Krell; 12 great-grandchildren; three sisters: Patricia McGregor of Watertown, SD, Sharon (Daryle) Mahaney of Colorado City, CO and Judi (Dave) Lickteig of Boerne, TX; a brother-in-law, Don (Darlene) Beckman of White Lake, SD; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Edwin was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou Krell (2017); his son, Gary Krell (2020); his parents, Harry and Ruth Krell; a brother, Don "Bud" Krell; a sister, Carol (Gib) Schoenfelder; his father and mother-in-law, Bernard and Mary Beckman; and two brothers-in-law: Leonard McGregor and Anthony Beckman.