Herman Woepel, Jr.

Herman Walter Woepel, Jr., 75, a veteran of the Navy and a 50-year member of the VFW, passed away of kidney disease on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at Firesteel Healthcare Center in Mitchell, SD. The son of Herman and Nettie (Monroe) Woerpel, Herman grew up in Fairfax, SD. He was born on December 18, 1947, in Mitchell, SD, and attended school in Fairfax, where he was active in sports. He excelled in hurdles and, to this day, still holds the school record for the Broncs. During his junior year in high school, Herman joined the National Guard. He graduated in 1966, and enlisted in the United States Air Force. He spent four years in the Air Force, one of which he spent at PHU CAT Air Force Base in Vietnam. He joined the United States Navy in 1971 and served until being honorably discharged on July 31, 1988. He had many adventures while serving in the Philippines, Spain, Japan, and, finally, in Homestead, Florida. Upon retiring, he moved back to Fairfax. He attended Mitchell Vo-Tech where he got a degree in accounting. He held a variety of jobs including working at Fort Randall Casino and finally working for Cenex in Fairfax.

He is survived by his sister, Arzella Kulm of Fairfax; six nieces and nephews: Jason (Angela) Kulm, Pam (Greg) Blume, Amy (Steve) Harrington, Becky (Shon) Koch, Ted (Corine) Kulm, and Tom (Marie) Kulm; 14 great-nieces and nephews, and two great-great nieces.

He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law Ronald Kulm, parents Herman and Nettie (Monroe) Woerpel, and an infant nephew Todd Kulm.