Albert Stoddard

Albert Stoddard, age 86, of Plankinton, SD went rejoicing to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at his home and was released from his recent challenges with dementia and cancer. Funeral Services are 11:00 A.M. Saturday, December 9, 2017 at the United Methodist Church in Plankinton. A Committal Service with Military Honors will follow at Mizpah Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Friday, December 8, 2017 with a 7:00 P.M. Eastern Star, Masonic and Prayer Service. Albert Dale Stoddard was born on August 16, 1931 to Allen Phillip and Alma Fern (Sapp) Stoddard in Mitchell, SD. His love of the farm and the farming way of life began early in life and never really left him as he always brightened up when he was told that we were “going to the farm”. Albert attended Stoddard School for his grade school years and then attended and graduated from Plankinton High School in 1949. It was in Plankinton that he met the love of his life. He married Carol Ann Sauvage on June 8, 1952 at the Plankinton United Methodist Church. New Underwood, SD became their home while Albert served as an airplane mechanic in the United States Air Force at Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota. To the loving union, Jack was born. Following his discharge, Albert and Carol returned to Plankinton where he joined his father in farming. Three more children joined the family: Randy, Peggy and Denny. In 1965, the family experienced the loss of Denny following a house fire. Albert’s strength and faith helped to carry him and his family beyond this tragedy to be able to reach out to others suffering from loss during the rest of his lifetime. Albert never really gave up being a farmer which included milking cows during the early years, raising cattle and hogs, and growing crops for the remainder of his farming life. However, he did try out a few other types of employment during his lifetime as a farmer to include breeding cattle, custom grain hauling/moving, entrepreneur of a couple of product sale businesses, proprietor (with his wife, Carol), of the Hometown Lanes and Cafe, truck driver for local farmers and for National Foods and bread deliverer for the Storla Sunset Home. Pheasant hunting was an integral part of the family history. Albert and Carol hosted friends from many states throughout the years of their marriage until they moved from the farm due to health problems. Even this year, Albert enjoyed watching the hunters out on the farm during Pheasant season. He was also an avid hunter of other game and fowl. Albert was very involved in his community serving on the township board, the school board, serving as a 4-H Leader, running the “chains” for the football team and the “clock” for the basketball team; participating in all community activities; helping to run the concession stand for many years at the ballpark; being a “Santa Helper” to check up on the children for over 25 years before passing the torch to another member of the “Santa Helper” team. He was an active member of the United Methodist Church serving as usher for most of his adult life. As a member of the American Legion, Albert was involved in the support of the Boys State Program, the Legion Baseball Program, the annual Memorial Day Services, and as a participant of the honor guard for military functions. Albert was a more than 60 year member of Masons and of the Order of the Eastern Star. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite and of the El Riad Shrine. In Eastern Star, Albert had the honor to serve as Worthy Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of SD in 1975-1976, and as a national officer of the General Grand Chapter for nine years holding the title of Right Worthy Grand Trustee Emeritus until his death. Albert never met a sport he didn’t like. In 1996, he was inducted into the SD Amateur Basketball Association Hall of Fame. His hobbies included singing; bowling; playing cards (especially pinochle); dancing (especially with Carol); coaching; enjoying life on the water at his cabin on Twin Lakes in the early years; and supporting many sports, music, 4-H, and/or educational activities of his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and extended family members and friends. Albert’s family (including extended family) was the heart and soul of his life. Neighbors and friends were always a very special part of Albert’s life. He loved his community and was an avid supporter of his hometown of Plankinton. He shared his smile, his big heart, and his love of life with everyone he met. His winning smile and his ever ready helping hand reached out to many people in the community. The care and support he offered reached throughout the state and country while serving in the National Office of Eastern Star. If there was ever anyone in need, Albert would just show up to help and was always willing to do whatever it took to support and help others. In 2010, the love of his life for over 58 years, Carol, passed away. Although faced with many health issues, he continued to be an important part of the lives of his family and friends until his death. Grateful for sharing in Albert’s life: his children: Jack (Becki), Randy and Peggy Stoddard all of Plankinton; his grandchildren: Clay (Rachel) Stoddard of Yankton; Adam (Cami Connell) Stoddard of Minneapolis; Mandy (Chris) Williams of Plankinton and Sara (Kyle) McManus of West Fargo, ND; his great grandchildren: Sophia and Sawyer Williams, Remi and Wyatt Stoddard and Teddy and Lena McManus; his brother, Howard (Ione) Stoddard of Denver; his brother-in-law, Terry (Norma) Sauvage of Plankinton; an “adopted” brother, Tom (Stephanie) Long, Sioux Falls, SD; Mandy’s mother, Kim Maas, Parkston, SD; along with several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, dear cousins and many, many close friends…whom he loved very much. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol; his son, Denny; his parents; his in-laws, Jack and Annie Sauvage; one sister, Marilyn Mathis; one brother, Boyd Allen Stoddard; one nephew, Steve Mathis and one brother-in-law, Wilbur (2nd wife, Ruth) Mathis. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Albert’s honor may be directed to: United Methodist Church, 210 N. East Road, Plankinton, SD 57368, Aurora County Cancer Fund, C/O Rose Bosworth, 25250 385th Ave., Plankinton, SD 57368, Masonic Charity Fund or SD Eastern Star Assisting Children to Smile (A.C.T.S.) Program.