Luverne Buehner

Luverne Buehner, 95, of Canistota, SD passed away on Sunday, August 29, 2021 at Tieszen Memorial Home in Marion.  Funeral services will begin at 10 am on Thursday, September 2, 2021 at Zion Lutheran Church in Canistota.  There will be a prayer service at 7 pm on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 with family present one hour prior to greet guests also at the church.

Luverne Tobias Buehner was born in Clayton, SD on August 9th, 1926 to George and Frieda Buehner also joining siblings Hugo, Leonard, Oliver and later, Gilbert. He married Viona Neuharth on September 25^th, 1949. To this union two children David Luverne and Renee Ann were born.

He was an accomplished farmer in the Canistota, SD area. At the age of 34 he was selected as the Young Farmer of the year by the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce. In 1964 he received an award as a Master Pork Producer.

Being a very humble, quiet, kindhearted, and religious man, he put much thought into his words. So when he spoke, his wisdom and life lessons were worth listening to. His grandchildren saw his work ethic and enjoyed spending time with tractor rides, building forts, climbing farm buildings, restoring antique farm equipment and watching baby calves.

He took over the farm when his dad was too weak from Addison’s disease. If he hadn’t been a farmer he had the intelligence and a natural gift of designing architecture. He assisted with the design of the Zion Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall.  In his wife’s honor he also designed the remodel of the Zion Lutheran Church sanctuary. He was honored with a plaque on the church dedication day. After his wife, Viona passed away, he wrote a poem about “The Empty Chair” at the dining table. He noted that she was now dining at Christ’s table.

After retirement, he was seen by the Canistota residents as he got his exercise walking miles around the small town even at the age of 88 years. Eventually his home was at the Tieszen Memorial Home in Marion, SD. The staff enjoyed his accommodating good nature, and he enjoyed the back rubs they were so kind to offer him.

He will be dearly missed by his quiet demeanor, but we know that he now joins his wife at Christ’s table.

Luverne is survived by his son David and daughter-in-law Jan, Crooks, SD, daughter Renee Downs and son-in-law Roger, Ashburn, VA, grandchildren Troy Buehner (Tricia) Lennox, SD, Stacy Aesoph (Ben) Brookings, SD, Cody Buehner, Commerce Township, MI. Brother Gilbert Buehner, Sioux Falls, SD. Great grandchildren Elliott and Audrey Buehner.

Preceding Luverne in death are his wife Viona, brothers Hugo, Leonard, Oliver.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Tieszen Memorial Home, Marion, SD or Zion Lutheran Church, Canistota, SD.