Earl William Weiss was born in the home of his parents a few miles south of Akaska, SD, in Walworth County. He was the fourth child of Ernest and Olga (Wiedman) Weiss. He was baptized at the Lutheran Church in Akaska on November 11, 1927.
He attended the first grade at a country school in Walworth County before the family moved across the state to a new home east of Parmelee, SD, in 1934. Earl completed the rest of his school years in Todd and Mellette Counties. He was confirmed on April 2, 1944, where he attended church at St. John Lutheran Church east of Norris, SD. He spent his teenage years herding sheep, milking cows, and building and fixing strong, tight fences.
In 1952, he left home to fight in the Korean Conflict. When he returned from Korea, he lived for a time at the home of his sister, Irene and James Kaufman. When he returned to his parents' home, he worked for his older brother, Harold Weiss, and brother-in-law, Walter Heinert. In 1961, Earl completed a course at the North Dakota School of Broadcasting. From there, he moved to Valentine, NE, and drove a truck delivering propane to farmers and ranchers in the area. In the mid 1970's, Earl moved to Springfield, MO, where he had friends and the weather was warmer. He worked as a carpenter until an injury ended that line of work for him. Earl then found a job working for a farmer who raised and sold dogs. Earl's job was caring for the dogs.
He retired in 1996 and moved back to the home place north of Parmelee. Earl liked to garden and raised beautiful tomatoes. He always put a teaspoon of sugar in the hole before putting in the tomato plant. He said it would make them sweeter. He would say, "That's what they do in Springfield."
In 2011, Earl moved to the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veteran's Home in Hot Springs, SD, where they took very good care of him for which his family is very thankful.
Earl, 91, Hot Springs, died Friday, February 15, 2019, at the State Veteran's Home.
He is survived by one sister, Irene Kaufman, Valentine, NE; sister-in-law, Carol (Nelson) Weiss, Rapid City; brothers-in-law, Robert Totton, Murdo, SD, and Roger Guenther, Onalaska, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Harold and Richard "Dick" Weiss; sisters, Erna (Walter) Heinert, Ellen (Robert) Totton, and Darlene (Roger) Guenther; nephews, Terry Weiss and Kenneth Kaufman; and niece, Deanna Totton Holm.
Visitation will be Friday, February 22, one hour prior to the services at the State Veteran's Home in Hot Springs.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 22, 2019, at the State Veteran's home. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
A memorial has been established to the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veteran's Home in Hot Springs.

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