James Louis Hendel, 85, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, died Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, at the Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital in Sioux Falls.
A Mass of Christian burial was Monday, Dec. 14, at St. Lambert Catholic Church in Sioux Falls, with burial at the St. Adrian Cemetery in Adrian.
James Hendel was born on Oct. 27, 1935, to Louis and Ida (Ruffing) Hendel in Adrian. He attended St. Adrian Catholic School. Following his graduation from high school, he enlisted into the United States Marine Corps. Upon his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, James returned to Adrian.
James married Marlys Dilly, and they were blessed with four daughters. James worked for over 35 years as a scale operator for Iowa Beef Processors.
In 1991 James made his home in Sioux Falls where he met Phyllis Emmett. They were married on June 5, 1992, in Sioux Falls. He then worked at Starmark Cabinetry for 10 years before retiring due to ill health.
James was a parishioner of St. Adrian Catholic Church, where he sang in the choir and was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council. He enjoyed taking his daughters fishing when they were young. He also enjoyed trap-shooting and taking care of his garden and lawn. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family.
James is survived by his wife, Phyllis Hendel, of Sioux Falls; four daughters, Jackie (Alan) Altman of Luverne, Pamela (DJ) Dressel of Lakefield, Sherry (Doug) McKenney of Canton, South Dakota, and Lorie (Ken) Adelman of Bellingham; a stepson, Patrick (fiancée Dana Whitehouse) Ruml of Howard, South Dakota; a stepdaughter, Nichelle (Jay) Crowder of Manhattan, Kansas; 15 grandchildren, Aaron (Caiti), Phillip (Cali), Autumn, Blair, Danielle, Christopher, Matthew (Kaitlyn), Brianna (Grant), Ryan, Evan (Samantha Hotzler), Tristan, Allison, Amelia, Andrew and Lucy; five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Joan Wolf of Clara City and Ruth Lorang of Adrian; brother-in-law Lyle Healy of Chester, South Dakota; sister-in-law Judy Hendel of Luverne; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Leo and Robert Hendel; a sister, Donna Healy; two brothers-in-law, Roman Wolf and Marvin Lorang; sister-in-law Joan Hendel; and great-granddaughter Gracie Marie.
Arrangements were provided by George Boom Funeral Home of Sioux Falls, georgeboom.com.
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