Joel B. Wilson

Joel B. Wilson, 87, of Aberdeen, SD, died Monday, March 27, 2023, at Bethesda Home of Aberdeen.

Joel B. Wilson was born to John H. and Sylvia (Tollefson) Wilson at Good Samaritan Hospital in Aberdeen, SD. Joel was four years old when his mother, Sylvia died. Joel’s early life was spent with his father and sister, Joanne, in Indiana and Ohio. They returned to South Dakota when his father married Pearl Tollefson. Joel took over the farm after his father died in 1961.Joel married Joyce I. Eichler on November 15, 1981. They lived on the farm until 2020, when he and Joyce moved to Aberdeen. Joel also worked at Sand Lake Refuge for 6 years after he retired from farming.

Joel graduated from Columbia High School in 1953 and attended Northern State Teachers College. He was an active member of the Army from February 1957 to January 1959, and was in the National Guard until January1962. He sold Payco Seed, held many offices for the church and served on the Selby Township Board.

Joel had an amazing talent when it came to woodworking. Many family members are recipients of his wonderful work. He loved listening to music; especially music that had harmony.

Grateful for having shared Joel’s life are his wife Joyce Wilson; brothers: Roger (Connie) Wilson, Linthicum, Heights, MD, Richard(Michelle) Wilson, Houghton, SD, Larry (Mary) Wilson, Gays Mills, WI, Dr. James (Ruby) Wilson, Bruce, SD; sisters-in-law: Phyllis Yeske, Sharon (Roger)Zastrow, and Betty (Steve) Dunker; brothers-in-law: Karl (Val) Eichler and Keith (Suzan) Eichler; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Joel in death are his parents; sister and husband, Joanne (Ervin) Hummel; step-mother, Pearl Wilson; brothers-in-law, Art Yeske and Dean Eichler.

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