LeRoy Totton

Funeral services for LeRoy Totton were held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Russ Grim officiating.

Bernice Klein was in charge of registration, and several selections of recorded music were played. Honorary casket bearers were LeRoy’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Military honors were conferred by the Gregory American Legion and the National Honors Team. Interment will take place in the Winner City Cemetery at a later date. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

LeRoy Totton was born November 30, 1935, in Norris, SD, to Sarah (Van Epps) and Lloyd Totton.

LeRoy served in the US Army from September of 1958 to September of 1960 with part of his time spent in Germany. He was proud that he was in Germany with Elvis and even got to play his guitar.

When he returned home in 1962, he started a band with his brothers Keith and Sterling Totton. They played together at Carlock Dance Hall where he met the love of his life, Darlene Hansen. LeRoy and Darlene married on June 15, 1963. To this union five children were born: Cheryl, Doug, Julie, Mike, and Jenna.

LeRoy worked for many farmers in the area, the sewing machine factory, and the Gregory School District. He also had many other side jobs, helping out where he was needed. LeRoy continued to help at Klein’s Value Hardware until this last year. With all his jobs he would always talk about Monte Krizan. He made a lifelong friend in Monte and his wife.

LeRoy enjoyed many things. One of his greatest pleasures was tinkering and fixing lawn mowers for everyone in the Gregory area. LeRoy loved being a grandpa. Each of LeRoy’s grandkids and great-grandkids kept him lively and young.

LeRoy passed away April 12, 2025, in Gregory, SD. He is survived by his children: Cheryl (Maurice) Denton of O’Neil, NE, Doug (Brandy) Totton of Yankton, SD, Julie (Steve) Esterling of Gregory, SD, Mike (Donna) Totton of Gregory, SD, and Jenna (Amber) Underhill of Colome, SD; brother Sterling Totton of Mitchell, SD; sister Marjorie Jensen of Pierre, SD; and 16 grandchildren; and many greatgrandchildren.

LeRoy is preceded in death by his parents Sarah and Lloyd Totton; his wife Darlene Totton; brothers Dean and Keith Tonnon; son-in-law Jr. Rash; great-granddaughter Toni Totton; and many other family members and friends.