A visitation is at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2009, at the George Boom Funeral Home, Sioux Falls, with the family present from 5-7 p.m. A second visitation is from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, April 12, 2009, at the Fiksdal Funeral Service, Webster, S.D., with the family present. A memorial service is at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 13, 2009, at the St. John’s Lutheran Church, Webster with burial at a later date.
The Rev. William Arthur Gregerson was born June 13, 1919, to Arthur and Hazel (Naessig) Gregerson. He was raised near Webster, where he graduated from high school. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was married to Mildred Sannes Gregerson on Nov. 22, 1941.
After his service in the military, he returned to farm the Sannes homestead near Lily, S.D. He farmed until 1950, when he was called to go into the ministry. At that time, he sold the farm and moved the family to Decorah, Iowa, where he attended Luther College, and then to St. Paul, Minn., where he attended Luther Seminary.
He was ordained in 1957 and served churches in McVille, N.D., Metropolis Ill., Forrest and Colfax, Ill., Randall and Story City, Iowa, Lake Mills, Iowa, Craig, Iowa, Ortley, S.D., and Waubay, S.D. He retired from the ministry in 2004 at the age of 85. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Howard Gregerson; grandson, Brock Johnson; sons, William, Karl and David; and his wife, Mildred.
He is survived by his brother, LaVerne Gregerson; his children, Dale Gregerson, Ellen Johnson, Anna Gregerson, Laura Pavalis, Mary (Karl) Warns and their spouses; 19 children and 22 grandchildren. He will be deeply mourned by those who loved him.
Bill was a man of many interests – having trained as a blacksmith, a John Deere tractor repairman, an airplane mechanic, a farmer, an auto mechanic and a minister. He could play the harmonica and the accordion.
He loved animals and was beloved by his many, many pets. He enjoyed polka music, barbershop music and Lawrence Welk. He could fix anything that had a motor and enjoyed tinkering.
He was a collector of old cars and would travel extensively to attend auctions if he thought there might be a rusted out Model T he could fix up. He liked licorice, root beer, ice cream and Swiss cheese. He enjoyed growing tomatoes and roses.
He had a special gift for comforting fussy babies and could get the most distraught child to sleep with ease. Although he could never remember a punch line, he loved a good joke.
His hobby in recent years was to read the Bible from cover to cover several times per year.
In lieu of memorials, the family asks that you make a contribution to the Bible camp of your choice and provide encouragement to you local church youth group.
A complete obituary and online registry is available at www.georgeboom.com
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