Michael A. Berwald, 60, of Toronto, passed away Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, at Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown.
Funeral services for Mike and his grandson, Jaxson Berwald will be held jointly at 1:30 p.m., on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, at Estelline High School Gymnasium in Estelline, SD, and will be live-streamed on the Rude’s Funeral Home Facebook page.
A joint visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday Jan. 16, 2021, at Estelline High School Gymnasium. Burial will be at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, rural Estelline. Masks are encouraged. In lieu of flowers please send memorials to the Berwald Family Farm (19460 471st Ave. Toronto SD 57268).
Michael Alan Berwald was born May 31, 1960, to Arlen (Sonny) and Eunice (Backman) Berwald in Watertown, SD. His earliest years were in Summit, South Dakota moving to their dairy farm east of Estelline on his 10th birthday. Mike graduated from Estelline High School in 1978 and continued his education in agriculture at Lake Area Tech. He met the love of his life, Kimberly Lau, at a Watertown Dairy Show. She agreed to milk a cow with him and the rest was history. They married on Sept. 16, 1983, and together raised three children: Bethany, Austin and Kaitlynn.
Mike was a selfless and dedicated farmer. He had a lifelong love for farming and the outdoors, sharing this love with his children and grandchildren.
He taught them everything from fixing fence to caring for animals. His kids fondly remember learning math and the ABC’s from the tractor cab.
As someone who appreciated God’s nature, Mike could be found hunting, horseback riding, or on whatever unexpected adventure would come his way. Elk hunting in Idaho with friends new and old over the past 25 years fulfilled his wildest ambitions and inspired endless (and oft repeated) stories.
Mike enjoyed the simple things in life such as eating home-cooked meals, an old song on the radio, and telling tales to anyone who would listen, especially to his wife. Whether enduring 20 below or a broken limb, he never complained about a tough circumstance.
An active member of Blom Prairie Lutheran Church in Toronto, Mike lived out his faith in Jesus Christ shown through his kindness, selflessness, and genuine concern for others. He was amused by the fact that he was born in 1960 and this year turned 60 himself.
Mike was taken to heaven together with his beloved farming companion and 9-year-old grandson, Jaxson, on Jan. 9.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew, Channing Berwald. He will be dearly missed by his wife, Kim, his three children, Bethany (Jeff) Larson of East Grand Forks, Minnesota; Austin (Rebecca) Berwald of Toronto; Kaitlynn Berwald (Alan) of Sioux Falls; and grandchildren, Ella, Leo, Anders, Jaylee, Jaedyn, and Jamison. Also left to treasure his memory are siblings, Calvin (Sara) Berwald of Ogema, Wisconsin; Lisa (Bill) Abeler of Upsala, Minnesota; Rita (Eli) Hofer of Bruce; and Sheila (John) Gross of Madison; his nieces, nephews, a large extended family, and many whom he loved to call friends.
Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.
