John VanLith

John VanLith, 85, of Milbank, SD, passed away on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Peaceful Pines in Milbank.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank, SD. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home on Sunday, October 4, 2026, and will close with a service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Monday. Burial will be held at St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery. 

The service will be live-streamed and recorded for later viewing and will be posted below.

John Paul VanLith was born on July 12, 1941, in Milbank, SD, to Nick and Edie (Schneider) VanLith. He grew up southeast of Milbank near Lake Albert before his family moved north of Big Stone City in 1948. John attended school in Big Stone City and graduated from the Big Stone High School in 1959. Following high school, John started his farming career, and later he and his brother, Tom, partnered in the farming operation.

On June 19, 1965, John was united in marriage with JoAnne Moberg in Clinton, MN. John and JoAnne made their home in rural Big Stone City, where they raised their three children.

In 1963, John enlisted in the United States National Guard and served until 1969. He retired from farming and worked for Ronglein Excavating, driving truck for a number of years. John enjoyed being on the road and the camaraderie of working with that group. He joined the Big Stone City Fire Department and served his community for 27 years

When he wasn’t working on the farm or driving truck, John found pleasure in the simple pleasures of life. He loved moments spent in nature, whether it was fishing or hunting. John also enjoyed travelling with JoAnne, and the two had many adventures together.

Following JoAnne’s passing in 2012, John met Gaile Kitterman, and they were married on August 26, 2014, near Spearfish, SD. John and Gaile split their time between Milbank and Arizona until his passing. They enjoyed traveling to see their Arizona friends in their home states during their summers and traveling to see family.

John is survived by his wife, Gaile of Milbank, SD; his three children: Mary Sprecher and her husband, Mike, of Moorhead, MN; Jim and his wife, Joyce, of Fargo, ND; and Pat and his partner, Lesleigh Sudenga, of Mitchell, SD; three grandchildren: Andy VanLith, Aaron Sprecher, and Sydney Sprecher; three brothers: Nick VanLith of Port Orange, FL; George and his wife, Karla, of Big Stone City, SD; and Dennis and his wife, Rachelle, of Round Rock, TX; two sisters: Theresa VanLith of Big Stone City, SD; and Ann Bolkcom and her husband, Harry, of Fridley, MN; brothers-in-law: John Moberg and his wife Candy of Sauke Center, MN; and Bill Moberg of Clinton, MN; sisters-in-law: Loretta VanLith of Lake Havasu, AZ and Sheila Moberg of Gallatin, TN; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents; wife, JoAnne; two brothers: Joe and Tom; one sister, Marcy Seehafer; brother-in-law, Tom Moberg; and sister-in-law, Nita Moberg.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the JoAnne VanLith Memorial Scholarship, c/o Milbank High School Educational Foundation, PO Box 366, Milbank, SD 57252, memo JoAnne VanLith.

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