Alfred John Hertel, 88, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2015, in hospice care at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Ft. Meade.

Alfred was born August 28, 1926, in McLaughlin, SD, to Fred M. and Anna Helen Louise (Zimmerman) Hertel. He was raised on the family farm west of McLaughlin, and attended school in McLaughlin.

Alfred was drafted in the Army where he served in the Military Police from 1944 to 1947.

Alfred married Elnor Eisenbeis on May 17, 1949, in McLaughlin, SD. They started their lives farming in McLaughlin. In 1962, they moved to Central City, SD, and Alfred went to work for Homestake Gold Mine in Lead, SD, as an underground miner in 1962 where he worked for 29 years, retiring in 1989.

After retirement, Alfred built a home in Sturgis, SD, where he and his bride (Elnor) of over 65 years live still today.

Alfred played many rolls in his life, loving husband and father, farmer, miner, entrepreneur, and carpenter.

He was baptized in the Lutheran faith in McLaughlin, SD. He raised his family in the Lutheran faith in Lead, SD.

Alfred loved to build. He built 2 homes, remodeled many on a large scale, but also built furniture to windmills to bird houses on a small scale. If you would visit him at their home, you'd probably find Alfred building something in his garage or checking his gardens, but he'd gladly break away just to play cards or marbles with his family and friends.

Alfred is survived by his loving wife, Elnor; five children; ten brothers; one sister; 17 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Fred M. and Anna (Zimmerman) Hertel; step-mother, Hildagard Billigmeier (Dobler) Hertel; six brothers; one sister; one child in infancy; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 6, 2015, at Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor Henrique Fleming officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior at the church. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery.

A memorial has been established to Fort Meade Hospice.

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