95
Canistota, SD
August 29, 2021
Luverne Tobias Buehner was born in Clayton on August 9, 1926, to George and Frieda Buehner also joining siblings Hugo, Leonard, Oliver and later, Gilbert. He married Viona Neuharth on September 25, 1949. To this union two children, David Luverne and Renee Ann, were born.
He was an accomplished farmer in the Canistota area. At the age of 34, he was selected as the Young Farmer of the year by the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce. In 1964 he received an award as a Master Pork Producer.
Being a very humble, quiet, kindhearted and religious man, he put much thought into his words. So when he spoke, his wisdom and life lessons were worth listening to. His grandchildren saw his work ethic and enjoyed spending time with tractor rides, building forts, climbing farm buildings, restoring antique farm equipment and watching baby calves.
He took over the farm when his dad was too weak from Addison’s disease. If he hadn’t been a farmer he had the intelligence and a natural gift of designing architecture. He assisted with the design of the Zion Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall. In his wife’s honor he also designed the remodel of the Zion Lutheran Church sanctuary. He was honored with a plaque on the church dedication day. After his wife Viona passed away, he wrote a poem about “The Empty Chair” at the dining table. He noted that she was now dining at Christ’s table.
After retirement, he was seen by the Canistota residents as he got his exercise walking miles around the small town even at the age of 88 years. Eventually his home was at the Tieszen Memorial Home in Marion. The staff enjoyed his accommodating good nature and he enjoyed the back rubs they were so kind to offer him.
He will be dearly missed by his quiet demeanor, but we know that he now joins his wife at Christ’s table.
Luverne is survived by his son David and daughter-in-law Jan, Crooks, daughter Renee Downs and son-in-law Roger, Ashburn, Va., grandchildren Troy Buehner (Tricia) Lennox, Stacy Aesoph (Ben) Brookings, Cody Buehner, Commerce Township, Mich.; brother Gilbert Buehner, Sioux Falls and great-grandchildren Elliott and Audrey Buehner.
Preceding Luverne in death are his wife Viona and brothers Hugo, Leonard and Oliver.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Tieszen Memorial Home, Marion, SD or Zion Lutheran Church, Canistota, SD.
Funeral services were held September 2, 2021 at Zion Lutheran Church in Canistota.
Arrangements provided by Kinzley Funeral Home.