Wilmer Erwin Frohreich

Wilmer Erwin Frohreich, age 91, of Yankton, South Dakota, died Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Beehive Nursing Home in St. George, Utah.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at Martinus Lutheran Church in Utica, South Dakota, with Reverend Dean Schroeder officiating. Burial will be in Martinus Cemetery in rural Utica, South Dakota, with military honors provided by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post No. 791. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral on Tuesday at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Yankton.

To watch a replay of Wilmer's funeral services, select this link https://youtu.be/yT7tphEMEHc

Pallbearers will be Rodney Anderson, Steve Anderson, Bob Frohreich and Tim Frohreich.

Wilmer Erwin Frohreich was born May 17, 1933, in Yankton, South Dakota, to Herman and Martha (Diede) Frohreich. He was baptized on July 20, 1933 and confirmed on October 26, 1947 at Martinus Lutheran Church in Utica, South Dakota. He attended Klimisch #48 rural school and enjoyed playing baseball, relay games and chasing gophers during recess. After grade school, Wilmer continued to do many farm jobs, trapping with his big brother, DeWayne and helping their dad with the crops and livestock. He was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and was stationed at Sandia Army Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, working in the commissary and supplies. After his discharge, he returned home to begin building his own farm life and future. In 1965, a friend introduced him to Beverly Schanche Trulock and they were married on February 18, 1966. They moved to Wilmer’s farm along with Beverly’s daughter, Devonne. On May 20, 1969, they adopted John Herman Frohreich to be their son and join their family. They all worked hard, farming, raising livestock, raising dogs, and also did a lot of vegetable gardening and selling at the Farmer’s Market in Yankton. They enjoyed taking their camper down to the Jim River to fish and picnic. Wilmer shared his love of fishing and hunting with his son, John, and taught him well. He also enjoyed ice fishing out at the lake.

On September 8, 1989, Wilmer married Lila Weisz Fuerst. They kept farming and gardening and selling at the Farmer’s Market and also enjoyed going to auctions and finding many many treasures. They loved to play pinochle and spent many hours helping out with various events at Martinus Lutheran Church. They retired to Yankton in 2018.

Survivors include his son, John Frohreich; granddaughter, Rhiannon Jade; step-children: Devonne Andresh, Dawn (Greg) Papma, Denise (Jerry) Willman and Dean (Susan) Fuerst; sisters: Lois Anderson and Verna Sorensen; sister-in-law, Betty Frohreich; brother-in-law, Lyle Sorensen; and many nieces nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Beverly in 1989; wife, Lila in 2022; infant granddaughter, Tanner Jo; brother, DeWayne Frohreich; brother-in-law, Roy Anderson and step-son, Dan Fuerst.