Victor Manuel Zwetzig, 86, Sturgis, died Sunday, November 9, 2008 at the Lead-Deadwood Regional Hospital in Deadwood.

Visitation will be noon until 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday, November 14, 2008 at the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Lead with Pastor Tom Stenzel officiating. Burial follows at the Mt. Lawn Cemetery near Lead.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church or the Crippled Children's Hospital.

Victor was born July 11, 1922 at Merino, CO, to Jacob and Amelia (Maier) Zwetzig Jr.

He moved to South Dakota at the age of 4. He farmed with his dad until the age of eighteen.

Victor married Rosie Adams at Harrisburg, NE, on November 1, 1942. They resided in Bayard, NE, where he had various jobs. In 1948 he returned to Lead, SD, and went to work for Homestake. He spent 15 years as a first class miner and went to work in the Blacksmith shop. He was the last blacksmith at Homestake when he retired in 1984 after 35 years of service.

They moved to Boulder Canyon near Sturgis in 1987. Victor enjoyed many hobbies including making windmills, miniature tractors, snowmobiles and old walking plows. He enjoyed riding around in his little red convertible.

He was a member of the Shepherd of the Hills in Lead, Homestake Veterans and A.F.L C.I.O member. He also helped organize the Federal Credit Union of Lead.

Victor loved his family.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Rosie Zwetzig, Sturgis; two daughters, Linda (Al) Witte, Avon, MN, Rose Marie (Larry) Ferguson, Leeton, MO; one son David (Betty) Zwetzig, Newell, SD; one sister, Frieda Fischer, Lodi, CA; one step sister, Frieda Schaub, Belle Fourche; 12 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren; also many nieces, nephews and many special friends.

He was preceded in death by his son Gerald Wayne Zwetzig in 1962.