Joel Edward Kotan

Joel Edward Kotan of Flandreau passed away on April 3, 2026 at The Neighborhoods in Brookings, SD.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Skroch Funeral Chapel in Flandreau. Burial will take place at Union Cemetery in Flandreau, SD, with a luncheon to follow at the Flandreau American Legion.

Joel was born on April 21,1940 to Leo and Jodata (Weigel) Kotan in Flandreau, SD. He was confirmed into Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Flandreau. Upon graduation from Egan High School in 1958 he enlisted into the US Army where he served time in Germany as an artillery surveyor, discharging in 1961 with the Good Conduct Medal. Back in the states, he farmed with his father and married Helen (Orton) Bourne in 1968. He adopted her three children: Ben, Sondra and Lawrence and together they had Jerlyn. In 1981 he married his true love, Annette Heminger. She had four children: Louis, Todd, Shawn and Shane whom he loved like his own. Although their marriage did not work out, they continued to be best friends. They talked on the phone every day, spent every holiday as a family and raised their blended family together. He spent many years farming, logging and in construction until he went to work for Louiseau Construction in 1984. For 32 years he bladed roads, which he took great pride in as he truly loved his job. All these years later people from the community comment how the gravel roads haven’t been the same since Joel retired. In the summer months he meticulously tended to his yard and garden and in the winter he spent his time woodworking. He also enjoyed westerns, fishing, hunting and spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his daughters Sondra Kotan, Cambodia and Shawn Dahmen, Brookings, SD; Sons Lawrence Kotan, Portland, OR, Louis (Christine) Payer, Todd Whiteskunk and Shane Whiteskunk all of Flandreau, SD; sister Carol (Henry) Leubke, Canton, SD and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Preceding him in death are his parents and step-mother Myrtle DeGriselles Kotan; significant other Annette Heminger; daughter Jerlyn Kotan; brothers, David and Steven Kotan; step-sisters Marvel DeGriselles Feest and Rita DeGriselles Staab; step-brother Robert "Griz" DeGriselles; brothers-in-law, Jerry Staab and Mel Feest

Honorary Pallbearers: Louis Payer Jr., Mercedes Payer-Red Bear, Joel Herman, Destiny Bird, Dylan Dahmen, Tara Kotan, Jacquee Kotan-Long and all his beloved great-grandchildren

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Salvation Army or St. Jude’s hospital