Jack Hegerfeld

Harold Elroy (Jack) Hegerfeld was born on Nov. 13, 1924, on a farm northwest of Elkton to Fred and Anna Hegerfeld, and passed away at home with his family at his side on April 16, 2024.
By the way, a little known fact about that nickname “Jack” — it seems that the hired man always called him Jack because he was as stubborn as a jackass! We, his children, are not surprised!
After graduating high school he spent two years in the U.S. Navy, returning to Elkton to farm and eventually join the Corn Exchange Bank, where he worked from 1950 to the present, though he officially retired in 1998.
On Sept. 25, 1950, he married Genevieve Ann Hurney. They had six children, Anna Marie (Hartman) Erickson, Frederick (Laura) Hegerfeld, Mary (Tim) Harvey, Sue (John) Davis, Charles (Toni) Hegerfeld and Pat Hegerfeld and friend Alan Kovanda.
Jack was a life-long member of the Glen Stafford Post 198 of the American Legion, Elkton Community Club, Elkton Volunteer Fire Department and was instrumental in the founding of the Elkton ambulance service. He loved serving and supporting the Elkton Community.
He also enjoyed hunting and fishing with his friends and family and especially those special trips to Alaska to fish with Sue and John and trips to Devils Lake, ND. Jack and G’Ann enjoyed gardening, canning and sharing their bounty with family and friends. Like it or not, it was hard to share a meal with the Hegerfelds without sauerkraut or rye bread.
Jack is lovingly remembered by his children, 19 grandchildren, and 27 great-grandchildren, as well as his special family of in-laws, the Hurney kids, and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Genevieve (G’Ann), his siblings Lambert Hegerfeld, Margaret Speers, Arlene Fischer, Marvin Hegerfeld, and great-granddaughter Kate Sawyer Fairbanks.
His family was designated as a Gold Star family due to the death of his brother Lambert in WWII. Jack was severely injured in military training and spent eight months recovering in a military hospital burn unit. Jack was the last living member of his immediate family.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to one of the following organizations: Elkton Community Ambulance 109 N. Elk St. ,Elkton, SD 57026 or American Legion Glen Stafford Post No. 198, 109 N. Elkton St. S., Elkton, SD 57026.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday, April 20, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visitation is 5 – 7 pm Friday at the church with a 7 p.m. scripture service.
Skroch Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.