George John Messmer, 85, Deadwood, passed away Sunday, July 19, 2015, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Fort Meade.

George was born April 3, 1930, to George Peter and Rosella (Keller) Messmer near Gladstone, ND. He was educated and raised a farm boy until he entered the US Army in 1950. He was a cook in the Army and even after his discharge, he loved to cook, many times, still making enough for an Army.

In September of 1954, he went to work at the Homestake Gold Mine in Lead, SD. He had been an underground miner until a back injury brought him to the surgace. He worked at the Slime plant in Deadwood for a time then at the Assay Office in Lead until his retirement in 1990.

On November 16, 1954, George married Isabelle "Izie" Fichter from Taylor, ND. They had two daughters, Vicki and Nancy.

George had a passion for family, children, fishing, and cooking. He had a great sense of humor, which will be missed by many.

George is survived by his wife, Izie; daughters, Vicki (Roger) St. Pierre, Rapid City, and Nancy Field, Deadwood; grandchildren, Zachary (Vanessa) Plowman, Farmington, NM, Amanda (David) Holien, Isleham, England, and Andrew (Therese) Field, Casper, WY; eight great-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren. George also leaves behind a special nephew and niece, Perry (Belle) Messmer and family of Whitewood and Donna (Dave) VandenHoek-Wiles of Spearfish. George had many, many nieces and nephews who were all near and dear to his heart. His sisters were Elsie Thormaschy, Jane (Rod) Reith, Shirley (Gary) Semerod; and brothers, Harold (Delores) Messmer, Lee Messmer, Gerold (Kathy) Messmer. Special friends he thought of as family include Tony Plowman, New Mexico, Bill and Sherry Janssen, Mississippi, and Dorothy Tinnell and Krista Gueke of Whitewood.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-mother, Barbara; sisters, Louise Messmer Ihm, Rosie Reisenauer, and Mary Price; brothers, Joe, Jack, Jerry, Bert, Leo, Frank, and Richard; and father to his grandchildren, Dan Field.

George requested no services and burial will be at a later date.

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