George R. Casanova

George R. Casanova, 99, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at Bethesda Home of Aberdeen.

A Memorial Service will be at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Aberdeen, with Pastor Jeff Whillock officiating.  A luncheon will follow the service.

Burial will be at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Monday, at Schriver Memorial Mortuary with a prayer service at 7 p.m.  Visitation continues one hour before the service at the church.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com. Services will be live-streamed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SchriversMemorial.

George Robert Casanova was born on February 8, 1925, in a farmhouse southwest of Aberdeen to George A. and Olga (Brick) Casanova. George was the oldest of five children. He attended rural school until eighth grade and graduated from Warner High School in 1944.

George farmed with his dad until 1953, then began 35 years with John Morrell & Co., retiring in May 1989. Not appreciating retirement, George began another long-time career as Property Manager at Aberdeen Super City Mall until his death. In 1989, he began volunteering at the Adjustment Training Center Foundation, Inc. Board (now Aspire). He was the foundation board President for several years. He became a Brown County Fair Board member in 1989 and served as President in 1993. George received many awards, including the South Dakota Fairman of the Year in 1993 and Dedicated Service Award in 1997, and was inducted into the Brown County Fair Foundation Hall of Fame in 2024.

George was a member of Sons of Norway, serving as President and then serving as Zone Director for 12 Chapters. George was also a dedicated member of Pheasants Forever and Ducks Unlimited and was recognized for a tract of land southwest of Aberdeen, the Casanova Wildlife Management Area, which was part of his family farmland. Other awards include the Mrs. Paul C. Green award from Adjustment Training Center which was later changed to the George Casanova Distinguished Service Award.  Many long-term youth friendships were developed while driving the Bethlehem Church bus for Day Care, Wednesday School, and Table Talks.

George married Ruth Gunderson in October 1947. After 74 years of marriage, Ruth passed away in January 2022. From this union, six children were born: Steve, Chuck, Tom, Dan, James, and Jeff. A Presentation College Nursing student, Pam (Schuler) Paff, became the adopted daughter George and Ruth befriended while taking her to church from PC.

Grateful for having shared George’s life are his children: Steve (Pat) Casanova of Aberdeen, Chuck (Robin) Casanova of Omaha, NE, Dan (Karla) Casanova of Rapid City, SD, and Jeff (Paula) Casanova of Aberdeen; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; adoptive daughter, Pam; and sister, Dolores Inman.

George was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; sons, Tom and James; parents, George A. and Olga; siblings, Ervin, Joann, and Howard.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Aspire Foundation, or Brown County Fair Foundation.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of George R. Casanova, please visit our floral store.