Mass of Christian Burial for John Derschan, age 75, of Lemmon, SD will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 1, 2009 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lemmon. Fr. John Lule will officiate with burial in the Greenhill Cemetery in Lemmon.


A Rosary Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2009 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lemmon.


Serving as casketbearers are W.A. Lloyd, Brad Derschan, Gene Robinson, Loran Thom, Nobel Veal and Francis Hulm. Richard Wiesinger, Tony Gregory and all of John's friends and neighbors are considered Honorary Bearers.


John Anton Derschan was born on August 15, 1933 to Anton and Elizabeth (Berger) Derschan at Mott, ND. He grew up on the family farm and attended school in the Lemmon, SD area. After his schooling, he began farming with his parents on the Derschan Homestead northwest of Lemmon. In 1951, John purchased the Reese farm southwest of Lemmon and began his farming and ranching career at the age of 18.


John enlisted in the United States Army National Guard in 1956 and proudly served his country in the Lemmon, SD and Hettinger, ND units until being honorably discharged in 1962. During his service time, he wrote letters to his sweetheart Judy Winiger, and on January 20, 1962 they were united in marriage at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Mandan, ND. Five children were born to this union, Joe, David, Mike, Theresa and Elizabeth.


Following their marriage, John and Judy continued farming and ranching together. In 1972, John purchased a hay grinder and acreage along Highway 73 and began commercially grinding hay for area ranchers, a job he continued for the next 37 years. He enjoyed grinding hay and getting to know each one of his customers. He developed lasting friendships and looked forward to work each day. John went through five hay grinders over the years and continued to work until his health forced him to retire in January of 2009. He loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and always made time for them.


John was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, The Knights of Columbus, and a member of the Live INC. Board and the Flat Creek Township Board.


John passed away on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at the West River Regional Medical Center in Hettinger, ND.


Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Judy, Lemmon, SD; three sons, Joe Derschan, Sioux Falls, SD, Mike Derschan, Olathe, KS and David (Roberta) Derschan, Dell Rapids, SD; two daughters, Theresa (Gary) Wells, Lemmon, SD and Elizabeth (Reid) Veal, Green River, WY; nine grandchildren, Broox and Chandler Derschan, Molly and Wendy Veal, James and Laura Zwart, Ashley Morris, Shauna Longhurst and Jennifer Webster; seven great-grandchildren; two brothers and three sisters-in-law, Frank and Bette Derschan, Sand Valley, NV, Tony and Bev Derschan, Lemmon, SD and Delilah (Ron) Holdahl, Lemmon, SD.


John was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Adam Derschan.


Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 31 at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon and one hour prior to the services at the church on Monday.