James William Labesky, Sr.

Funeral service for James W. Labesky, Sr. 78, Federick, will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday January 4, 2012 at Schriver's Memorial Mortuary & Crematory, 414 5th Ave. NW, with Pastor Galen Sylvester officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Memorial Cemetery, Aberdeen, SD.

Visitation will be 5-7p.m. on Tuesday, January 3, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. and visitation on Wednesday for one hour prior to the service at the mortuary.

James passed away Friday, December 30, 2011 at the Bethesda Home of Aberdeen after an eight month battle with cancer. Blessed be his memory.

James William Labesky was born June 6, 1933 to William and Rose (Hatzenbeller) Labesky in Aberdeen, SD. He attended Aberdeen schools and graduated from Aberdeen Central High in 1952. While in junior high school, he spent summers with his sister Marge in Langford, SD, where he played Legion Baseball. During his high school years, he played basketball, ran track, played drums in the high school band and was Homecoming Marshall. Jim attended Northern State Teachers? College where he ran track.

James and Jayne Ann Groves were united in marriage September 24, 1953 in Webster, SD. They made their home in Aberdeen where he was employed with Reinhard Brothers and later at General Trading Company and was with Aberdeen Equipment when he retired. Jayne passed away in March of 1995.

On June 7, 1997, James and Janice (Spilloway) Bender were united in marriage in Frederick, SD, where they made their home.

Jim was a professional drummer and played with many bands: Wally Young Orchestra, John Taylor Band, Norm Fischer, Audrey Arntz Trio, Gaylord of Notes (Chuck Mewing), George Sindler Band, Harry Eisel and Art Holland. He also played with the Elks Club Band.

Jim was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved animals, music, and going to auction sales.

He is preceded in death by his parents, first wife Jayne in 1995, sisters Marjory Fitch and Doris Kelly, grandson Paul Herther and step-grandson Ben Jostad.

Grateful for having shared in Jim's life are his wife, Janice of Frederick, SD, his children Dr. James (Mary) Labesky of Sioux Falls, SD, Jayne (Brad) Herther of Aberdeen, SD, and their son Joe Herther of Brookings, SD, Janet Labesky of Tuscarora, NV, Gerald (Julie) Labesky and their daughter, Catherine Labesky of Walnut Creek, CA, and Elizabeth Labesky of Westport, SD, step-children Tony (Julie) Bender of Venturia, ND, Sherry Slycord of St. Joseph, MN, Patty (Dennis) Roeszler of Aberdeen, SD, Scott (Pam) Bender of Red Wing, MN, Joel (Michelle) Bender of Castle Rock, CO, Mike Bender of Aberdeen, SD, twelve step-grandchildren and four step-great grandchildren.

Memorials may be directed to the Aberdeen Area Humane Society.

 

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