Roy Ernest Stangohr, 78, of rural Howard died Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at Whispering Winds Assisted Living Center, Howard, SD. Funeral services will be 11 am, Saturday, January 31, 2009 at the St. Agatha Catholic Church, Howard. With a private burial in the Graceland Cemetery, Howard. Visitation will begin Friday from 9 am to 5 pm at the Willoughby Funeral Home, Howard and will resume at the catholic church at 6 pm with a Prayer service to be said at 7 pm. Rev. Mary Lee Lint of Beach United Methodist officiating.

Roy Stangohr was born on February 7, 1930 at the Canova Hospital to Ernest and Hattie (Backes) Stangohr. He attended school at Reeves District #33 rural school and graduated from Howard High School in May, 1948. He was a member of the boys´ glee club.

He worked on his family farm until he was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1951. He trained as a machinist serving at Naha Port, Okinawa during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged in 1953.

On December 19, 1953 he married Leona Elsie Tarrell at her family home in Canistota. They farmed together south of Howard for the next 53 years. Building a family and a successful farming operation were their mutual work and achievement. Seven children were raised in the farm house: Kathryn, Cindy, Marcia, Gary, Terry, Cheryl and Amy. Roy & Leona celebrated the additions to their family with special joy in their 26 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. No one ever left their kitchen table hungry or unheard. "Come back soon" was always the departing blessing. His many friends were very special to him enjoying hunting and farming with equal enthusiasm. 

He took personal credit for the abilities he could observe in his children and those who followed whether those were skills in agriculture, animal science, management, health or mechanics. 

Roy was a product of the plains - his lifetime home. He loved the open spaces, the creatures, the seasons and the changes that are so much a part of life on the prairie. He once said he could see to forever from the top of the hill on his farm and didn´t really need to be anywhere else. He taught many of us how to pay attention to the world around us and to love and respect it for the gift it is. 

He was a great storyteller and loved good jokes, and his subtle playful humor was treasured by family and friends. 

He was interested in his local community serving on various township boards and on the Farm Service Agency board of directors. In 1993 Roy and Leona were Miner County´s Farm Family of the Year. He was a member of Beach United Methodist Church.

Grateful for having shared his life are Kathy (Greg) Callies of Winfred, Cindy Schwader, Marcia (Randy) Sherman, Gary (Mary) Stangohr, Terry (Diane) Stangohr, Cheryl Moore all of Howard, Jim Moore of Burke; Amy (Tony) West of Sioux Falls. Grandchildren include: Wendy & Loren Eich, Mitchell, Mason & Cody; Ryan & Sara Miller, Lane & Tate; Sarah & Jared Feldhaus, John & Lucas; David & Ashley Callies; Mike Schwader; Kevin & Ashley Schwader, Keegan & Kayleigh; Tami & Brent Severson, Breanna & Austin; Darin & Shelly Schwader; Tim & Kelly Sherman, Katie & Kacy; Shauna & Mitch Jacobs & Burken; Jenny Sherman; Charles Stangohr, William Stangohr & Andrew Stangohr; Stephanie & Cody Lefdal, David & Iver; Scott Stangohr & Amanda Gacke; Wyatt Stangohr; Shelley Stangohr & Shawn Callies; Robert & Amaris Moore, Rebecca & Rob Mommaerts & Blake; Daniel Moore & Brandy Hughes; Benjamin Moore; Jacqueline Moore & David Austerman; Brock West; Nathaniel West and Amanda West; brother Donald Stangohr and brother-in-law Stanley Cross of Sioux Falls and many nieces and nephews and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Leona, a sister Ruth Cross, a sister-in-law Deniece Stangohr, a son-in-law Mark Schwader and a great grandson Colton Shoenrock.