Seymour Studenberg

Memorial services for Seymour Studenberg were held on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the Union Congregational Church in Gregory, SD, with Pastor John Granchie and Pastor Tim Voigt officiating.

Music was provided by Denalda Fortuna, keyboard, and Geoff Smith, soloist, accompanied by Jeanie Kotrba, pianist. Francie Johnson and Sharon Pederson were in charge of registration, and flower attendants were friends of Jonalu.

Honorary urn bearers were Seymour’s grandchildren: Dylan, Sam, Aaron, Hannah, Kasyah, Sorrin, and Keenan.

Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Seymour Don Studenberg was born on June 27, 1950, in Winner, SD, to Dr. Joe and Lorraine (Key) Studenberg. Seymour graduated from Winner High School in 1968, and from the University of South Dakota in 1972 with a degree in business.

He was united in marriage on January 25, 1969, to Jonalu (Schwinler). To this union, three children were born: Jennifer, Spencer, and Joe.

Seymour started his career in sales at JC Penney in Minneapolis, MN. Later he moved his family to Sioux Falls, SD, to work for Tilton Motor Company, which then brought them to Gregory in 1976. After the dealership closed, Seymour was employed by Frontier Motor Company for 20 years, and then went to work for Office Products Center in Winner, where he worked until just four days before he died.

Seymour was very community-oriented and loved Gregory - especially the Gregory Gorillas. As an active member of the community for 45 years, he served on various committees including the Gregory City Council, Southern Plains Behavioral Health Services board, library board, Gregory School District Board of Education, and the Union Congregational Church board. He was also involved in Jaycees, Commercial Club, and Gregory Athletics Club.

Over the years, Seymour enjoyed playing slow-pitch softball for the Gregory Gators, coaching Little League baseball, shooting pool with the pool league, boating and fishing, pheasant hunting, and caring for their back yard filled with flowers, a koi fishpond, vegetable garden, and grapevines. His love of all sports was always evident; he loved doing “color” for the Gorillas on the radio and at the stadium.

But most of all, he enjoyed entertaining all the grandkids, nieces, and nephews of all ages in the swimming pool and attending as many of their activities as possible, from grade school basketball and volleyball to college track meets.

Seymour is survived by his wife Jonalu; children Jennifer (Tim) Voigt of Sioux Falls, SD, Spencer (Heather) Studenberg of Pierre, SD, and Joe (Nichole) Studenberg of Stacy, MN; grandchildren Dylan, Sam, and Aaron (Tianna) Voigt, Hannah (Justin) Bailey, Kasyah, Sorrin, and Keenan Studenberg, along with bonus grandchildren Ashley, Kirsten, and Tristan Korber (Heather’s children); four great-grandchildren; brother Phil (Jody) Studenberg of Klamath Falls, OR; and many in-laws.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, along with his step-father, Fred Nielsen, and half-brothers Riley Barnes, Bob Studenberg, Jack Studenberg, and Joe Studenberg.