Lowell "Tuffy" Gisselbeck

Lowell "Tuffy" Watertown ? Gisselbeck Lowell "Tuffy" Gisselbeck, 88 of Watertown, SD died on Sunday, December 25, 2022 in Watertown. Lowell "Tuffy" Gisselbeck was born on a farm northeast of Arlington, SD to Carl Ezra and Inez Johanna (Stolsic) Gisselbeck on February 18, 1934. He was the sixth of nine children. They lived at that farm until he was 3, when the family moved to a farm southwest of Johnsonville, SD. It was on that farm where he was given the nickname "Tuffy". They resided there until he was 8 years old, at that point they moved to the farm south of Watertown. Tuffy was very active in high school, participating in sports and Future Farmers of America. After graduation he was elected State FFA President in 1953. He was elected to represent the Central Region as National FFA Vice President in 1954. In 1976 he was instrumental in starting the Ag Department and FFA Chapter in Arlington. On June 11, 1953, he married his lifelong companion of 69 years, Helen Emmert. They scheduled their wedding around Tuffy's baseball and softball games. After graduating from high school, Tuffy was part of the family farm. In 1957 he was drafted into the Army as was stationed at Colorado Springs, CO. After basic training Helen joined him there. In September of 1959, daughter Tammy was born in Watertown, SD., just before he was Honorably Discharged from the Army. In 1962, they purchased and moved to a farm near Arlington, SD., where he established his own farm. Their son, Danny Carl Lowell was born in August of 1969. His church was a very important to him, he was Sunday School teacher for many years, Tuffy was convinced to be the Sunday School Superintendent when he came back from the Army and remained in that position well into the 2010's. Tuffy was on various boards including Arlington Public School, Arlington Farmers Elevator, Kingsbury County Fair Board, Kingbrook Rural Water Board, Watertown City Council, Watertown Wesleyan Church and Dakota District Camp in Rapid City. Tuffy didn't really retire from farming when he moved off the farm at Arlington in 1994. He helped Dan with his farming nearly daily. He worked for Angus-Palm Industries for a few years as the "go-pher" guy. After, grandson Dusty was born. He spent every Sunday afternoon with him. Then spent many winter weeks in Oklahoma with Tammy's family and enjoyed following Dusty's baseball team. Summers were filled with watching Dusty rodeo and play baseball and in the fall he would come to the Cross Country meets. He glowed when his Great-granddaughter, Wren, was mentioned and was looking forward to the addition of twins in April. Tuffy got to attend the greatest birthday party ever when he joined Jesus on Christmas Day, 2022. He was surrounded by his loving family. Missing him greatly are his wife of 69 years, Helen, daughter, Tammy Gorder (special friend Gordon Kane) Summit, SD, son Dan Gisselbeck (special friend Barb Huisman) Webster, SD, grandson Dusty Gorder (Lacey), great-granddaughter, Wren and expected twin, brothers Eugene Gisselbeck, Loren Gisselbeck (Helen) and Richard (Judy). And many nieces and nephews and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents, brothers Allen and LaVern, sisters Evelyn, Audrey and Diann. Services celebrating Tuffy's life will be 2 visitations, Monday, January 2 at Johnson-Henry Funeral Home in Arlington 5-7 and Tuesday January 3 at GracePoint (Wesleyan) Church Watertown 5-7. The funeral will be at GracePoint (Wesleyan) Church on Wednesday, January 4 at 1pm with burial 4pm at Bangor Lutheran Cemetery (212th St, south of Hwy81-14 junction south of Arlington and continue south on Hwy 81.