H. George Vietor

H. George Vietor, 97, of Sioux Falls, SD, formerly of Chancellor, died on Monday, August 14, 2023, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. George was born on a farm near Hurley, SD, on May 28, 1926, the son of Jakob G. and Genevieve (Lowery) Vietor. He grew up and attended District 20 country school grades 1-8 and attended Chancellor High School, graduating in 1944 in the top ten of his class of 9. He enlisted in the Navy in 1944 without telling his parents, but was given a medical discharge later due to a speech handicap. Two quarters at USD followed, after which he returned to the farm. Though George spent only a short time in the service of his country, he has always been a very patriotic citizen. He was a charter member of the American Legion Post 283 and worked many years helping other veterans secure their benefits. A monthly Legion newsletter "The Veteran" was written and published from 1964-2018 from George's typewriter, and he also served as Post 283 Historian for over 50 years. On August 11, 1949, George married Audrey Ruth Meier at the 2nd Reformed Church in Lennox, SD. The couple lived in Hurley for a short time and then in the spring of 1951 they moved to their home place 1 mile south, 1 mile east, and ¼ mile south of Chancellor, SD. They farmed a total of 500 acres of crop land and raised cattle, hogs and quite a few cats. George lost 2 fingers on his right hand in a husking bed of a Wood Bothers single row corn picker accident in Oct. 1951. Daughter Holly Jo joined the family on Christmas Day, 1953, with Jill LaRae following on July 10, 1957. They moved into their new home in Chancellor on Dec. 26, 1970. After farming the land for 20 years, George took the written exam to become postmaster of Chancellor, SD, and was awarded the position in April 1971. George retired from the post office in 1991. In August of 2019 the couple moved to Grand Living in Sioux Falls, SD. George loved to sing, being a member of The Top-Hatters as the high tenor. George and Audrey loved to travel regionally and went to Europe twice. He was in charge of the tape ministry of Chancellor Reformed Church for many years, also serving as deacon/elder on the Consistory and a representative to General Synod. George also served on the board of the "Words of Hope" for some 20 years, this was one of the loves of his life. Most of all George was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who deeply loved his family. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Audrey in 2020, his sisters, Mavis Fowler and Elaine Schroedermeier, and brother, Rodney Vietor. Grateful for having shared his life are his two daughters, Holly (Bill) Hofer of Sioux Falls, SD, and Jill (Mike) Foster of Southlake, TX; seven grandchildren, Rachel Brice of Charleston, SC, Jordan (Keeyane) Hofer of Harrisburg, SD, Tommy (Kia) Hofer of Eden Prairie, MN, and Jaime (Marlon) Lobban of Sioux Falls, SD, Mallory (Greg) Schouten of Sioux Falls, SD, Samantha (Bryan) Black of Keller, TX, and Jaclyn (Craig) Hill of Keller, TX; twenty great grandchildren, Olivia and Jack Brice, Lovena Billy, Flora and Matilda Hofer, James, Nils, Tor and Svea Hofer, Josiah, Naomi, Eden and Delilah Lobban, Nora and Josey Schouten, Trygve George, Runa and Olsen Black, and Chance and Nolan Hill. Two more great grandsons are on the way. George made friends wherever he went and leaves behind many other relatives and friends who he cared for dearly. As George's dear friend, Pastor Henry Haga reminded the family, "We grieve with joy, knowing he has passed on to glory. The hope we have as believers is one of the greatest truths in Scripture. Rejoice in the memories you have of George. Continue to run with the spiritual baton handed you. Continue looking at Jesus." A visitation will be held Friday, August 18, 2023, from 5PM-6:30PM at Chancellor Reformed Church, Chancellor, SD. Funeral Service will be held 11:00AM, Saturday, August 19, 2023, at Chancellor Reformed Church, Chancellor, SD, with a luncheon to follow. Interment will take place at Chancellor Reformed Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Chancellor Reformed Church, 93 Dewey Ave, Chancellor, SD 57015. The service will be livestreamed at https://www.chancellorreformed.org/services or on Chancellor Reformed Church Facebook page.