Herman Walter Woerpel, Jr., 75, a proud veteran of the Navy and 50-year member of the VFW, passed away of kidney disease Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023 at Firesteel Healthcare Center in Mitchell. Memorial service will be Tuesday, August 8 at 6:30 pm at Fairfax City Hall with burial to follow in Highland Cemetery at Fairfax.
The son of Herman and Nettie (Monroe) Woerpel, Herman grew up in Fairfax, S.D. He was born on December 18th, 1947 in Mitchell, S.D. and attended school in Fairfax where he was active in sports.
He excelled in hurdles and to this day still holds the school record for the Broncs. During his Junior year in high school, Herman joined the National Guard. He graduated in 1966 and enlisted in the United States Air Force. He spent 4 years in the Air Force, one of which he spent at PHU CAT Air Force Base in Vietnam. He joined the United States Navy in 1971 and served until being honorably discharged on July 31, 1988. He had many adventures while serving in the Philippines, Spain, Japan and finally in Homestead, Florida. Upon retiring, he moved back to Fairfax. He attended Mitchell Votech where he got a degree in Accounting. He held a variety of jobs including working at Fort Randall Casino and finally working for the Cenex in Fairfax.
Grateful for having shared his life are his sister, Arzella Kulm of Fairfax, his 6 nieces and nephews: Jason (Angela) Kulm, Pam (Greg) Blume, Amy (Steve) Harrington, Becky (Shon) Koch, Ted (Corine) Kulm and Tom (Marie) Kulm, 14 great nieces and nephews, and 2 great-great nieces.
He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Ronald Kulm, parents, Herman and Nettie (Monroe) Woerpel, and infant nephew, Todd Kulm.
