MICHAEL JOHN LOCKERT, SR. "Mike," 66, of Bison, SD, passed away on Saturday, August 16, 2014, at the Mott Good Samaritan Society following a 7-month courageous battle with a brain tumor.

He was born on December 25, 1947, in Lemmon, SD to John Arthur and Alice Rose (Froelich) Lockert. He married Darlene Miller on June 28, 1969, in Mobridge, SD. Three children (Michelle, Stacey, and Michael Jr. "Mick") were born to this union.

He graduated from Lemmon High School in 1966. Following high school graduation, Mike began working for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company for 10 years, first living in Mobridge, and then moving to Aberdeen in 1973. On May 5, 1967, Mike enlisted into the U.S. Army National Guard, serving with the 211 Engineer Company out of Lemmon. He was honorably discharged on February 23, 1973.

In 1976, Mike and Darlene purchased the Lockert Family Homestead and moved the family to Meadow, SD, where Mike had spent many summer months during his youth working on his Uncle Sebastian's farm. Mike and Darlene farmed and ranched there until 2010, at which time they sold the farm/ranch and built a new home in Bison. In addition to farming and ranching, Mike was employed at Chapman Electronics, Grand Electric, and West River Telephone for several years.

Mike loved and cherished his children and grandchildren, and he looked forward to every visit with them. Teaching them his passion for fishing meant the world to him. He enjoyed many fishing trips throughout the Midwest, Washington, Canada, and Alaska. Mike also enjoyed spending many years hunting on the prairies of South Dakota with his son. In addition to his love of farming/ranching, Mike had a wide variety of handyman skills, ranging from woodworking, electrical work, landscaping, and yard work. He took great pride in helping to build their new home in Bison. He was a true craftsman with immaculate attention to detail.

Keeping him in their fondest memories are: his wife, Darlene; two daughters, Michelle (Darrell) Riffe, Kennewick, WA; Stacey (Duane) Kutsch, Walla Walla, WA; son Michael Jr. "Mick" (Laura) Lockert, Cedar Falls, IA; 4 grandchildren, Kyle Peterson, Caroline Kutsch, and Carter and Caitlin Lockert; his mother-in-law, Isabel Miller, Mobridge, SD; five siblings, Pat (Clint) Englehart, Rapid City, SD; Jim Lockert, Lemmon, SD; Tom (Julie) Lockert, Bowman, ND; Barb (Dennis) Martin, Carson City, NV; Dave (Leigh Ann) Lockert, Bowman, ND; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and a host of friends.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law Joe Miller, and several aunts and uncles.

Serving as Pallbearers are Blane Chapman, Bill Christman, Tim Gossman, Dallas Ingalls, Jerry Landis, and John Merriman. All friends and relatives are considered honorary bearers.

Mass and Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 22, 2014, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lemon, SD. Visitation will begin Thursday, August 21, at 5:00 p.m., with a Rosary Service at 7:00 p.m. at the church. Fr. Tony Grossenburg will officiate, with burial at Greenhill Cemetery in Lemmon.

A memorial has been established.