Elmer Koth, Tripp

Elmer R. Koth, Tripp, 88, Tripp, died Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, at Avera St. Benedict Health Center, Parkston.

He was born on Dec. 5, 1924.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Frieden’s Reformed Church, Tripp, with the Rev. Greg Way officiating. Burial will be in Frieden’s Reformed Cemetery, Tripp, with graveside military rites by Jelkin-Harms American Legion Post No. 142 and the South Dakota Army National Guard.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at Goglin Funeral Home, Tripp. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the services Saturday at the church.

Elmer Ruben Koth was born on the family farm northwest of Tripp. He was the fourth of seven children born to Solomon and Anna (Goehring) Koth.

He attended a rural Hutchinson County school, Pearly Mound Elementary, and graduated from Tripp High School in 1942.

Following high school, Elmer worked on the family farm until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1950. He served his country in Korea from 1950 to 1952, and rose through the ranks to sergeant first class and became a squad leader in late 1951. He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement.

Upon his return to the area, he was an active member of Jelkin-Harms American Legion Post No. 142 in Tripp, where he served as a rifleman on the firing squad for 57 years.

Elmer returned to help his parents with the family farm. He also worked as a builder for Hanson Silo Company.

He retired from farming in 1997 and moved to a home in town.

He was a member of Frieden’s Reformed Church.

Elmer is survived by two sisters: Ruby Hicks and Arvilla Perkinson, both of Tripp; and many nieces and nephews, who remember him with love and affection.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers: Milton Koth and Hubert Koth; and two sisters: LaVerne Bastone and Norma Tatman.

Tags: obituaries, tripp

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