Virgil Fodness

Virgil Fodness, 90, died Saturday, February 16, 2013 while under hospice care at his rural Lennox home. Virgil Luverne Fodness was born on a farm in Lincoln County, South Dakota on March 26, 1922, the son of Theodore O. and Tena (Lier) Fodness. He attended school in Canton and later graduated from Lennox High School. Virgil was united in marriage to Ardys Wumkes in 1946. In 1940 Virgil began farming and continued to reside on the same farm, which received the Century Farm Award in 2010. He was also a partner with his brother, Don, with the IHC Implement dealership in Lennox for several years. Virgil had a distinguished career spanning five decades as a rural electric director, being first elected to the Lincoln-Union Electric Board in 1957, serving as President for 14 years and then was elected to the East River Electric Board of Directors in 1970. He served as their President for 16 years and in 1989 received East River's "Eminent Service Award". He was selected for membership to the South Dakota Co-op Hall of Fame in 1999. Virgil's service as a cooperative advocate was extended to both regional and national associations as well. In 1980, he was one of four South Dakota directors to serve on the Mid-West Electric Consumers Association in Denver and has served as both Vice-President and President. A Substation near Tea, South Dakota was named the "Virgil Fodness Substation" in his honor. In 1984 Virgil was appointed as director to the National Consumers Federation of America in Washington, D.C. and served that organization for many years. Locally, he was a former 4-H leader, Little League sponsor and coach, Township supervisor and telephone and school board member. He served 29 years on the Lincoln County Planning & Zoning Board, ten years as chairman. He also was treasurer of the West Prairie Lutheran church for 14 years. He has been a member of the Lennox Lions Club for several years and has served as a charter member of the Lennox Area Community Fund until the present time. Besides his parents, Virgil was preceded in death by siblings Stella (Ed) Engen, Howard (Mildred) Fodness, Donald (Corinne) Fodness, Ormel, in infancy and brother-in-law, Marvin Beeners. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Ardys, children: Steve (Randi) Fodness, Lennox, Pat (Harv) Hoffman, Lennox, Jeanine (Dave) Tims, Sioux Falls; nine grandchildren: Kristen (Kevin) Plank, Katy (Jeremy) Hartman, Kelly (Cole) Shawd, Nicole (Shaun) Groen, Dan (Dena) Hoffman, Dustin (Stacy) Hoffman, Joshua (Barb) Tims, Paul (Jenn Hein) Tims and Steven (MacKenzie) Tims; 14 great-grandchildren Tyler, Jaxon, Cody & Eli Plank, Kenzi, Jaren & Lucas Hartman, Gavin & Milo Shawd, Kadin & Hadlie Groen, Mack Hoffman, Amelia & Bennett Tims; one sister: Betty Beeners, Sioux Falls. Services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19 at West Prairie Lutheran Church. Visitation for the public will begin at 4:00 p.m. Monday also at West Prairie Lutheran Church with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Church location Interstate 29 exit #62 - go 2 miles west. Dindot-Klusmann Funeral Home, Lennox is in charge of arrangements.

Virgil Fodness

March 26, 1922 - February 16, 2013

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