Sylvan D. Vigness, 94, of Flandreau, died Sunday, June 3, 2018, at Avera Flandreau Hospital.
Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Burial is in Union Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. Wednesday with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service at Skroch Funeral Chapel.
Sylvan Dwight Vigness was born on Jan. 4, 1924, to Daniel and Gladys (Marler) Vigness in Woonsocket. His father died when he was 5 and he was raised by his loving stepfather Elmer O Swenson. Sylvan graduated from Egan High School in 1942 and joined the U.S. Navy. He fought in World War II in the South Pacific, where he was injured and recently received his Purple Heart in January 2018. After his discharge from the Navy he married the love of his life Iona Crawford Vigness on Aug. 28, 1949. They had three children: Carol, Daniel and Dwight. Sylvan graduated from South Dakota State in 1950 and received his master’s degree also from South Dakota State in 1959.
He taught vocational agriculture at Rutland High School for three years. He then taught in Flandreau for 12 years before becoming superintendent of Flandreau Schools in 1962 and retiring in 1988. During his tenure as superintendent he was instrumental in getting the bond issue passed to build the new existing high school. While teaching ag he was president of the South Dakota Ag Teachers and a member of the National Association of Vocational Teachers. He is a member of the School Administrators of South Dakota, Phi Delta Kappa and the General Beadle Club. He was chairman of the district and regional basketball tournaments several times and served on legislative committees for school administrators several times.
He was a member of the American Legion and life member of DAV. He worked many summers as an inspector for a seed corn company and really enjoyed working with and meeting the corn growers. Sylvan was very active in the community serving on the city council and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church serving on many boards including president of the congregation and chairman of the building committee for the education unit. After retirement they spent many winters with friends in McAllen, Texas. Sylvan enjoyed golfing, woodworking, collecting pens, cheering for the Twins and traveling to visit family and friends. He was thrilled to go on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.
Sylvan is survived by his wife, Iona; daughter, Carol (Marty) Engquist of Sioux Falls; son, Dwight (Lisa), Billings, Montana; daughter-in-law, Deb Vigness of Sioux Falls; sister, Alma Schied; brother-in-law, Lee Crawford; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren with another due in October; many cousins, nieces and nephews along with his father’s family in Norway.
He was preceded in death son Daniel. He was an inspiration and hero to everyone he knew and a blessing to his family.
For online condolences, visit www.skrochfc.com.
