George H. Woelk, 86, died Thursday, July 21, 2011 at Riverview Manor, Flandreau. George was born at home on the farm near Dallas, SD, on February 8, 1925, to Herman and Maria (Braun) Woelk. The family moved to Flandreau where George graduated from high school in 1943. He was inducted into the US Army on October 24, 1944, served in Japan, and was honorably discharged on November 17, 1946. George worked in dairy herd improvement and later as a custodian, mostly in the Chemistry Department, at SDSU in Brookings for many years until he retired. George traveled often to Germany to visit his brother Edward, sister-in-law Ruth, their 6 children and other relatives. George had a rich singing voice and was talented on the accordion. Family and friends will treasure memories of George's laughter as well. He was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Brookings, the Red Poll Cattle Association and Kelley-Porter American Legion Post #70, Flandreau.

George is survived by two sisters Erna (Jerome) Ziegenbalg, Brookings, SD, and Louise Nelson, Hot Springs, SD, and numerous nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews in the US and Germany. He is preceded in death by his parents, infant brother Heinrich, brother Otto, brother Edward, and sister-in-law Ruth.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at 11:00 AM at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Brookings, SD with burial in the Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis. Arrangements by Skroch Funeral Chapel, Flandreau.