Irving Vernon Cressman

Herrick, SD

1939-41, 4726, American Island, SCS-7, Ass't Ed. Advisor

Irving Vernon Cressman, age 87, died on Saturday, September 22, 2007 at the VA Medical Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was born August 20, 1920, to Walter L. and Wilheminne Reichwaldt Cressman at Upsalla, Morrison County, Minnesota. When he was four years old he moved with his family to Coleridge, Nebraska, and in 1928 the family moved to a farm south of Herrick, South Dakota. He was baptized and confirmed in the Episcopal Church. He attended grade school and high school at St. Charles, South Dakota, and graduated from St. Charles High School in 1938. In 1939 he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps camp at Chamberlain, South Dakota. He later worked in Michigan and Indiana.

He married Lavina June Neilan May 28, 1943, at Trinity Episcopal Church, Winner, South Dakota. They moved to a farm south of his parents’ farm and farmed there for seven years. In February of 1945, he was inducted into military service and received his training at the U.S. Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois. After training, he was stationed in Guam until December of that year. After returning home, he continued farming until he purchased the hardware store in Herrick in 1950. In 1958 the family moved to Springfield, SD where he managed Thompson Yards. The family later moved to Freeman, Litchfield, Minnesota, and Aberdeen, South Dakota, where he managed the Weyerhaeuser Lumber Co. yards. While in Aberdeen, his wife of 22 years, Lavina died of cancer June 27, 1965. He and two young sons, Dan and Dean, moved to Vermillion, then to Sioux Falls in 1970. He worked at Lampert Building Center in Sioux Falls as an estimator and in outside sales, retiring in 1978.

He loved to garden, plant trees and design and build hundreds of beautifully crafted woodworking projects, most of which he gave to family and friends. He was a member of several America Legion Clubs, Lions Club, Elks Club, and was a 32nd degree Mason.

Grateful for having shared in his life are his children, Jean (Lee) Jackson, Janet (Vern) Stofferan, Dennis, Linda (Harvey) Aman, Dan (Carol), and Dean (Karolyn); a brother Melvin (Ruby) 10 grandchildren; Anita Young, Denise (Benny) Fagler, Wendy (Greg) Norwood, Jenny Mogen, Jayme Mogen, Paul Cressman, Kris (Jay) Aman-Lavicky, Nathan Aman, Melissa Cressman and Ryan Cressman, 11 great-grand children, and many nieces and nephews.

Irving was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Minnie; wife, Lavina; two brothers, Harry and Earl; and a grandson, Wade Young.

Public visitation begins at 1:00 pm Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at Miller Funeral Home 13th & Main Ave.. The family will greet friends from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm Wednesday at Miller’s with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 27, 11:00 a.m. at the Clausen Funeral Home, Burke South Dakota followed by burial at Rosebud Cemetery, Bonesteel, South Dakota, with military honors conducted by the Allen Loudon American Legion Post No. 220, Herrick, South Dakota. Memorials may be directed to Loudon American Legion Post No. 220, Herrick, South Dakota.

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