John was born November 17, 1931, in Colman, SD, to John and Anna Zwingelberg. John was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He graduated from Flandreau High School in 1949 and attended Augustana and South Dakota State College. He served in the United States Army for 2 years during the Korean War.

John started "going steady" with the love of his life, Audrey Simons, at the age of 16. John and Audrey were united in marriage on June 13, 1953, in Colman, SD. Because two people fell in love, from this union came eight children: Julie (Jeff) Westberg, Janelle (Dave) Arehart, David (Sandra) Zwingelberg, Rick (Tracy) Zwingelberg, Holly (Jeff) Ailts, Heidi (Jon) Aldren, Scott (Rhonda) Zwingelberg, and Kathi Karas; grandchildren, Bryan, Jody, Zacharius (Anna), Jamie, Ginger (Vaughn), Uriah (Erin), Aaron (Jenny), Sunshine, Luke, Amy (Tom), Audra (Thomas), Miranda, Emily (Chris), Paul, Jessica (Brandon), Benjamin (Dixie), Joshua, Karissa, Ryan (Jennifer), Kelly (Jenn), Jennifer (Brittan), Julie, Jason (Tara), Amanda, Heather, Stephen (Alicia), Timothy,(Shaunna), Cory, Brandon, and Adrian; great-grandchildren, Nathaniel, Rylan, Abigail, William, Dustin, Jordan, Ariel, Grace, Gavin, Stella, Dylan, Taylor, Tyson, Madalyn, Kennedi, Ireland, Kayden, Kaylee, Kylan, Rachel, Sara, James, Kate, Ella, Wyatt, Wes, Brit, Penny, Ronin, August, Johnny, Olivia, Brayton, Kaydence, Owen, Brennen, Brighton, and Cora, with two more blessings on the way.

In his early years, he taught school in the eastern part of the state, and then moved his family to the Black Hills where he spent most of his life working for Northern Hills Homes. He has been a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Whitewood for 52 years, serving on the Church Council for a number of years. He served on the Library Board, City Council, the Whitewood Volunteer Fire Department, and was a member of the Red Dale Camping Club and the Lions Club. John enjoyed nothing more in life than being with his family. He loved to cook, go camping, and take hunting and fishing trips. John and Audrey were fortunate in their life to do a lot of traveling. The highlight of their travels was a 50th wedding anniversary trip to Germany given to them by their children. Lefse making was one of the many family traditions that he shared with his family.

Johnny "John" Carl Zwingelberg, 85, Whitewood, passed away January 21, 2017, surrounded by his loved ones.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Audrey; his children, his grandchildren, his great-grandchildren, two brothers, and one sister.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Anna Zwingelberg; his son-in-law, Jeffrey Ailts; grandsons, Joshua Ailts and Paul Zwingelberg; and granddaughter, Anna Westberg.

John always said he was a blessed man, and all that matters in life is Faith and Family. "John's greatest joy in life is leaving his legacy of one hundred and two!"

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, January 25, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Whitewood with Pastor David Baer officiating. Inurnment will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

A memorial has been established to the Immanuel Lutheran Church.

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