Gary Lee Buer

Gary Lee Buer, age 68, of Lake Preston, SD, passed away Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at his home. Celebration of Life service will be 2:00 PM Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at the Lake Preston Lutheran Church with Pastor Kris Larson officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 20, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Church. Military honors will be provided by the Lake Preston American Legion Post # 63. Inurnment will be in the Lake Preston Cemetery under the direction of Johnson-Henry Funeral Home of Arlington, Lake Preston, Oldham. This service will be live streamed via our website.
Buer died June 14 at his home in Lake Preston following a lengthy illness.
He was born Nov. 11, 1954, in Brookings to Norbert and Anna (Johnson) Buer. He spent his early years on the Buer homestead near Lake Thompson. The family later moved to an acreage near Lake Preston. He attended Lake Preston elementary school and high school. On Dec. 15, 1972, he joined the Army and was stationed in Heilbronn, Germany, where he served as a wheeled vehicle mechanic in the motor pool. Buer received a national defense service medal for being a M-16 sharpshooter. He was honorably discharged on July 25, 1978.
Buer married Susan Wilde on Aug. 27, 1977, at the United Methodist Church in Lake Preston.
He was employed as a truck driver and worked for Wilde Construction, Green Thumb Commodities, Prairie Ag Partners and Folkens Trucking. He was most recently employed with Virchow Farms near Lake Preston.
Buer was a member of Porter L. Rich Legion Post #63 in Lake Preston, where he also served as commander. He was a member of the Lake Preston Volunteer Fire Department for more than 25 years and also served as a driver for the Lake Preston Ambulance Service. He served several terms as a councilman on the Lake Preston City Council.
Buer enjoyed spending time with his grandsons. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing pool and cards. However, his passion was drag racing and he spent many weekends racing and supporting other drivers at Oahe Speedway in Pierre and Thunder Valley Dragway in Marion.
Survivors include his wife, Susan; one daughter, Stacy (Michael) Nuzum-Jenkins; a son, Joshua Buer; and five grandsons, Konner, Kannen, Kutler, Tyson and Logan.
Buer was preceded in death by his parents and a son-in-law, Kristian Nuzum.