Funeral services for Elmer Brockel, age 78, of Bison, SD, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 2, 2015, at the Bentley Memorial Building in Bison, SD. Pastor Phil Hahn, Pastor Audie Brockel and Pastor Florence Hoff will officiate with burial at a later date.

Elmer was diagnosed with cancer in 2011 and fought to his last breath on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 in Hettinger, ND.

Grateful for the gift of his life are his wife of 60 years, Fern; daughters, Ardella "Della" Ryken, Belinda (Todd) Christman; grandchildren, Chad (Mary) Wells, Shannon (Jessica) Wells, Kelsie (Baily) Simons, Chanda Derby (Anthony Vopat, Jeremiah "Jay" (Kylee) Bonnema, Sgt. Barry Bonnema USAF; great-grandchildren, Grant and Jackson Wells, Hunter Wilkens, Kailyn Wlls, Sawyer, Beckham and Denver Simons, Ethan Derby, Kirra and Eli Bonnema; one brother, Ted Brockel; one sister, Betty (Roger) Strain; sisters-in-law, Marilyn and Ramona Brockel; numerous nieces and nephews. Also sharing a very special place and considered family are Ben (Jeanette) Kruger and their children, Liam and Jacob.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Carl and Helen Brockel; son, E.Brian Brockel; brothers, Leo, Lester and Richard; sisters, Verna Kruger and Wilma Seidel; sister-in-law, Jean Brockel; and son-in-law, Ron Ryken.

Visitation will be on Thursday, October 1, 2015 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon. A family service will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.

A memorial has been established.