1938
Galen
2024
Galen Cardwell
December 21, 1938 — April 11, 2024
Summit
Galen Cardwell, 85, of Summit, SD, passed away on April 11, 2024, at his home in Summit.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Hope Lutheran Church in Summit, SD. Pastor Janet Miller will officiate. We will depart from HLC at 12:30 p.m. for burial at the Wilmot Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 19, 2024, at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank. Visitation will continue 1 hour prior to the service on Saturday.
Galen Lee Cardwell was born on December 21, 1938, near Peever, SD, to Avert Charles and Ellen Minnie (Fitz) Cardwell. The family lived in various places in Roberts County and he attended country school through the eighth grade. After his education, he worked on the family farm and also sheered sheep for various farmers. In the 60s, Galen started driving truck and continued that for over 20 years.
Galen was united in marriage with Susan Carlson on June 15, 1968, in Summit, SD. The couple were blessed with three children: Mary, David, and Steven. They later divorced and Galen continued to raise their children. Though there were many challenging years, Galen never asked for help and worked hard to provide for his children.
In 1983, he worked as a loader operator for Concrete Materials, which was later acquired by LG Everest, Inc. He worked there until 2004. After his retirement, he still had the desire to work. He worked at Hilltop Manure Spreading until he decided he was ready to enjoy his retirement.
Galen was a man of few words. He was never the first to start a conversation, but always appreciated when people would stop to talk with him. You could often find him sitting at the Coffee Cup, watching the trucks and cars pass by. He loved keeping watch on the people in and around Summit. His favorite pastime was fishing - both alone and with his kids and grandkids. He also enjoyed planting flowers in the spring, reading western novels, and fixing all kinds of things. His family was incredibly important to him and he treasured moments spent with them.
Galen will be forever loved and deeply missed by his children: Mary Lauritsen of Florence, SD; and David (Penny) Cardwell of Summit, SD; his six grandchildren: Chelsea (Orion) Bailey of Elgin, OK; Jason Cardwell of Summit, SD; Taylor (Brady) Hyatt of Florence, SD; Kiara (Gavin) Harper of Summit, SD; Erin Lauritsen of Florence, SD; and Noah (Mallory Bisgard) Lauritsen of Watertown, SD; six great-grandchildren: Easton, Makenna, Riggs, Bailee, Lakelyn, and Ronan, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his son, Steven Cardwell, his grandchildren: baby Lauritsen and Joseph Lauritsen, siblings: Florence Lowery, Gene Cardwell, and Gerald Cardwell.
In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Galen’s great-grandson, Riggs Hyatt, memorials may be made to:
South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
605 14th Ave. SE
Aberdeen, SD 57401.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Hope Lutheran Church in Summit, SD. Pastor Janet Miller will officiate. We will depart from HLC at 12:30 p.m. for burial at the Wilmot Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 19, 2024, at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank. Visitation will continue 1 hour prior to the service on Saturday.
Galen Lee Cardwell was born on December 21, 1938, near Peever, SD, to Avert Charles and Ellen Minnie (Fitz) Cardwell. The family lived in various places in Roberts County and he attended country school through the eighth grade. After his education, he worked on the family farm and also sheered sheep for various farmers. In the 60s, Galen started driving truck and continued that for over 20 years.
Galen was united in marriage with Susan Carlson on June 15, 1968, in Summit, SD. The couple were blessed with three children: Mary, David, and Steven. They later divorced and Galen continued to raise their children. Though there were many challenging years, Galen never asked for help and worked hard to provide for his children.
In 1983, he worked as a loader operator for Concrete Materials, which was later acquired by LG Everest, Inc. He worked there until 2004. After his retirement, he still had the desire to work. He worked at Hilltop Manure Spreading until he decided he was ready to enjoy his retirement.
Galen was a man of few words. He was never the first to start a conversation, but always appreciated when people would stop to talk with him. You could often find him sitting at the Coffee Cup, watching the trucks and cars pass by. He loved keeping watch on the people in and around Summit. His favorite pastime was fishing - both alone and with his kids and grandkids. He also enjoyed planting flowers in the spring, reading western novels, and fixing all kinds of things. His family was incredibly important to him and he treasured moments spent with them.
Galen will be forever loved and deeply missed by his children: Mary Lauritsen of Florence, SD; and David (Penny) Cardwell of Summit, SD; his six grandchildren: Chelsea (Orion) Bailey of Elgin, OK; Jason Cardwell of Summit, SD; Taylor (Brady) Hyatt of Florence, SD; Kiara (Gavin) Harper of Summit, SD; Erin Lauritsen of Florence, SD; and Noah (Mallory Bisgard) Lauritsen of Watertown, SD; six great-grandchildren: Easton, Makenna, Riggs, Bailee, Lakelyn, and Ronan, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his son, Steven Cardwell, his grandchildren: baby Lauritsen and Joseph Lauritsen, siblings: Florence Lowery, Gene Cardwell, and Gerald Cardwell.
In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Galen’s great-grandson, Riggs Hyatt, memorials may be made to:
South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
605 14th Ave. SE
Aberdeen, SD 57401.
Galen Cardwell Memorial Folder.pdf
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Friday, April 19, 2024
5:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)
Mundwiler Funeral Home
Funeral Service
Saturday, April 20, 2024
10:30 - 11:30 am (Central time)
Hope Lutheran Church
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