Roger Leo Appel, 90, of Redfield, South Dakota, passed away on Thursday, August 24, 2023. 

     Visitation, with family present, will be from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 6, at Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield.

    Roger’s funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 7, at Hyke Funeral Home.  Pastor Mark Appel will officiate.  Burial, with military honors, will follow the service at St. Bernard’s Catholic Cemetery in Redfield.  After the burial, lunch will be served at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Redfield.

     The funeral service will be live-streamed on the funeral home’s website below Roger’s obituary.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home (www.hykefuneralhome.com).

     Roger was born July 27, 1933, at home in rural Spink County, South Dakota, to Simon and Bertha (Ecker) Appel.  He was the ninth of ten children and spent his childhood and youth on the family farm by Cottonwood Lake near Redfield.  He attended rural country school through eighth grade and graduated from Redfield High School.

     He married Barbara Rice on October 13, 1954, in Redfield; and through this union, they were blessed with eight children (first-born son, pre-deceased). 

     Roger was a force of nature.   From his high school yearbook touting “He’s got TNT in those fists,” to Champion Golden Gloves Boxer, to the Army, to wrangling sheep, cattle, hogs, crops, and farm machinery, to entertaining at family reunions with broomstick jumping, handstands and tying himself in knots while balancing on his hands …. to wrestling his sons and grandsons and pinning them …. to grabbing Mom from the stove, throwing her over his shoulder and running through the house while she beat him on the bum with a spatula, yelling “Roger, put me down!!” 

     He was a thinker – able to fix anything from a toaster to a combine. His favorite phrases: “If it isn’t working, try something else.”  “If you’re going to do something, you might as well do it right.”  “If you think you can – you can.”

     Businessmen of his time wanted him to work in town as a mechanic, but he wanted to be his own boss.  Upon his return from the Army, he purchased his dad’s small farm near Cottonwood Lake and - with the support of Mom and his growing family – land and acreage expanded into what he liked to call God’s Country.  Over the years, countless friends and relatives (most-favored were his numerous, beloved grandchildren) made “Lakeview Ranch” a cherished vacation spot with Roger & Barbara the most gracious of hosts.  Great country air, great food, great fun – Roger challenged anyone who dared accept – hunting, fishing, games on the hill, swimming, horseback riding, 4-wheeling, guitar & accordion playing, singing, dancing …. and on-&-on-&-on.

     Roger was a man of God.  No matter the demands of the farm, he and his family were in church every Sunday morning.  He participated in Mass as a lector; enjoyed singing; was a member of the Knights of Columbus; and was a strong advocate for Right to Life.  In 1973, he went to the altar with Barbara at a Billy Graham Crusade held in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and in 1979, he made his own firm commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ at a Lowell Lundstrom Crusade.

     Roger is survived by his seven children: Suze and her husband, John Pokrassa of Dallas, Texas; Rosy Love of Amarillo, Texas; Donna and her husband, Kurtus Jorgenson of Waubay, South Dakota; Mark and his wife, Gini of Redfield; Pat and his wife, Sheila of Redfield; Tim and his wife, Tabatha of Black Hawk, South Dakota; and Ross Appel of Redfield.  He is also survived by his 26 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.  He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara; his first-born son, Antone Leo Appel; his son-in-law Delmer Love (Rosy’s loving husband); and his treasured grandson, Benjamin Jorgenson.

        In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Roger and Barbara Appel Mission Work Foundation

(tinyurl.com/R-BMissionWorkFoundation) or mail check to: Mark Appel c/o Roger & Barbara Appel Mission Work Foundation, 744 East 9th Street, Redfield, SD 57469.