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Samuel McGaffee

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Samuel Thomas “Sam” Mc Gaffee, 68, Hills, died Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, at his home in Hills, following a courageous battle with cancer.
A memorial service was Monday, Jan. 9, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills. Inurnment was at Eastside Cemetery.
Samuel Mc Gaffee was born Dec. 2, 1954, at Pierre, South Dakota, the son of Samuel and Dorothy (Westhauser) Mc Gaffee. He was raised in the Sioux Falls area and graduated from Washington High School in 1972.
After his education he entered the U.S. Army on Sept. 4, 1973, and was honorably discharged on Sept. 3, 1976, at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He returned home and began working at Heartland Paper Company as a truck driver.
Sam married Glenda Wassenaar on Dec. 4, 1982, at The Reformed Church of Steen. He lived in Hills for 40 years and later began working at Smithfield Packing Plant in Sioux Falls.
Sam was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills, serving as head usher for many years. He enjoyed word search and attending car races in area towns. He was a big Dale Earnhardt Sr. fan.
Most of all, Sam cherished his daughters and granddaughter, Henley. He was especially fond of his dog Charlie. He enjoyed his weekly coffee with his buddies in his retirement. Sam also enjoyed sitting outside on the porch visiting with friends who stopped by.
In September of 2019 Sam was diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer.
Sam is survived by his wife, Glenda Mc Gaffee, of Hills; two daughters, Katie (Dustin) Hanson of Sioux Falls, and Samantha Mc Gaffee of Hills; a granddaughter, Henley Hanson; three brothers, Ken (Betty) Garcia of Canton, South Dakota, Martin Strampher of Burwell, Nebraska, and Mike (Carol) Mc Gaffee of Sioux Falls; a brother-in-law, Marv Wassenaar of Sioux Falls; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his parents-in-law, George and Henrietta Wassenaar; two brothers, Marvin Strampher and Pat Mc Gaffee; a sister, Robin Shea; and a brother-in-law, Robert Wassenaar. 
Arrangements were provided by Jurrens Funeral Home of Hills, jurrensfuneralhome.com
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