Benny Herman Mogler

Benny H. Mogler age 70 of Lake Preston passed away on Monday, August 25, 2025 at his home. Celebration of Life will be 2:00 PM, Monday September 1, 2025 at the Lake Preston Lutheran Church, with Pastor Jamie Mogler officiating. Pianist will Lynn Brown.

Visitation will be Sunday, August 31, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Lake Preston Lutheran Church. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Crawford-Osthus/Johnson-Henry Funeral Home of Lake Preston.

Benny Herman Mogler died Monday 8/25/25 at his home with his loyal dog by his side.
He was born 11/18/54 to Harold and Mary Mogler in Badger SD. He moved around a lot as a child, spending the longest in Lake Preston School 6 th to 11 th grade after his father died in a farm accident. He moved to Atwater MN his senior year and worked hard on a farm while finishing high school and earning his diploma. He returned to the area and met Merri Dierkson, marrying her 11/23/75. He continued farm work until drought caused a curve in the road. He worked in DeSmet as an appliance repairman until an opportunity to move to California and manage an almond orchard presented itself. While in California they welcomed Khristy. He also managed a prune orchard. They decided to return to SD at the end of 1978. He found work at a meat packing plant, rendering plant, and farm, before finding a job in Lake Preston at the local hospital where he worked as head of maintenance for years until his health forced him into early retirement. Jason and Amy also joined the family during this time. He faced many challenges with his health, his children's health and his wife's before her passing in 12/11/92. He is an avid supporter of the Shriner's as they helped with several of these trials. While in Lake Preston he contributed to the community serving on city council, serving as mayor, serving on the ambulance squad. He was instrumental in helping several community projects along including the Main Street Improvement and water treatment. Through some of the surprising twists and turns life sometimes offers, he was reunited with an old friend and married Rosemary Otto North on 02/20/2000. They spent many happy years until her accident 03/03/17 and he was again widowed. His family remained his pride and joy, and he adored being "papa" and the "tool man" for his grandchildren. He enjoyed many activities throughout his life, camping, hunting, fishing, tinkering on engines and building things, cards and games, magic tricks, caring for his pets and family, and motorcycle riding which in recent years was a trike. He didn't let much slow him down.

He is survived by a large, extended and complicated family as many are these days, and if you were once family his Benny's eyes, you were always his family.

Traditional survivors include children Khristy Mogler (Scott) and Paul Wuestewald, Amy Braley (Erik), and Jason Mogler (Heather). Grandchildren Elizabeth (Corey), Jeramya, Kelly (Haley), Tiffani (Hector), and Benny, Kayla, Karissa, Kayden, Brooklyn. Great Grandchildren Konner, Reagan, Kaelynn and Andrew, with another princess on the way. Siblings Jamie (Margaret) Mogler, Errol (Terry) Mogler, Lynette (Joe) Lohan, Lurene (Paul) Denke, Craig (Barb) Mogler. He also had the joy of being part of his stepchildren and step grandchildren's lives for a time.

He is reunited with his wives Merri and Rose, his granddaughter Merri, parents Harold, Mary and Wilbur Anderson, in-laws Dorothy Joanne and Albert, Gordon and Joann, Sarah Otto, and siblings Pete and John.