Sheldon Dale Lenling

Click here to view Sheldon's Liturgical Wake Service

Click here to view Sheldon's Mass of Christian Burial

Sheldon Dale Lenling, 75, of Aberdeen, passed away Tuesday, August 27, 2019, at Avera Mother Joseph Manor in Aberdeen.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 3, 2019, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 409 2nd Avenue NE, Aberdeen, with Father Andy Thuringer, Celebrant.

Burial, with military rites, will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Aberdeen.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is handling arrangements.  

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Monday, at the mortuary, with a liturgical wake beginning at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation continues one hour before Mass at the church.

Family and friends may sign Sheldon’s online guestbook and view his service via the live stream service link at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Sheldon Dale Lenling was born February 26, 1944, in Aberdeen, SD to Berthold and Betty (Nash) Lenling.  He was raised on the family farm near Ferney, SD and attended school in Groton, SD. Following graduation from Groton High School, Sheldon worked as a truck driver for Jule Kolbo Eggs.

Sheldon married Linda Jones on August 15, 1964.  In 1966, he entered the United States Air Force and served his country until March of 1970, when he received his Honorable Discharge and moved to Aberdeen.  While living in Aberdeen, Sheldon worked construction and was a heavy equipment operator until 1972, when he began what would become a 45+ year career with Hub City. In 1977, in addition to working full-time at Hub City, Sheldon also became the owner and operator of Lenling Construction, which he continued until 2016, when ill health forced him to retire.

Sheldon was united in marriage to Rita (Pence) Merry on July 29, 1979.  The couple shared nearly 40 years together before Rita passed away on May 8, 2019.  Sheldon continued to reside in Aberdeen until the time of his death.

Sheldon was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aberdeen.  In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, watching old Western movies, listening to Country music, and adding to his large assortment of farm and tractor collectibles.  Sheldon was also a true animal lover and had a special place in his heart for his horses and his dogs.

Grateful for having shared in Sheldon’s life are his children:  Mike (Faye) Lenling of Warner, SD, Dave Lenling of Aberdeen, and Steve (Tina) Lenling and Lisa (Joseph) Robbins, both of St. Paul, MN; ten grandchildren:  Brandon Lenling, Taydon Lenling, Liberty Lenling, Megan Lenling, Jacob Lenling, Angela Lenling, Isaac Lenling, Myah Keller, Ethan Keller, and Chase Keller; and three sisters:  Corrine Hein of Darien, IL, Carol (John) Stanger of Oak Park, IL and Charlene (Paul) Helmer of Gardner, KS.

Sheldon was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Rita.   

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