Percy "Perk" Washenberger

Percy "Perk" Washenberger, 80, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2016, at his Aberdeen home, surrounded by his family.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 7, 2016, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 409 3rd Avenue SE, Aberdeen, with Father Mark Lichter as Celebrant.

Burial, with military rites, follows at Sacred Heart Cemetery.

Schriver's Memorial Mortuary & Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be 4-6 p.m., Sunday, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, followed by a liturgical wake service at 6:00 p.m. Visitation continues one hour before Mass on Monday. No visitation will be held at the mortuary.

Percy and his identical twin brother, Perry, were born to Leo and Myrtle (Braun) Washenberger on December 13, 1935 in Webster, SD. He was raised along with his three brothers on the family farmstead southeast of Webster. Percy attended grade school at Morton School District 111, a one-room country schoolhouse. Although times were tough, his parents purchased their sons an accordion, a guitar, and a bass. From this time, Percy's love for music blossomed. During high school, Percy and Perry played in the dance bands the Moonlight Serenaders and the Kings Men. Percy met his future wife, Joan, while playing a dance job with the Moonlight Serenaders. In 1954, he graduated with honors from Webster High School. Upon graduating, Percy and Perry enlisted in the United States Air Force specializing as radar technicians.

On May 9, 1955, Percy was united in marriage with his soul mate, Joan Kriech, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Aberdeen. Soon after their marriage, Percy and Joan moved to Peoria, IL where their first son, Timothy, was born. Percy was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force in 1959 and moved to Rapid City, SD. He played full time with the dance band the Dakota Cowboys who had a live show televised every Saturday night on KOTA TV. It was during this time he acquired the nickname "Perk". Their family continued to grow with the addition of James, John, Laura, and Thomas. While in Rapid City, Perk took a job with Fairmont Foods as the assistant controller. He completed his business degree at the National School of Business in Rapid City. Perk and his family were relocated with Fairmont Foods to Minneapolis, MN, where their son Steven was born. In 1963, Perk, Joan, and their young family moved to Aberdeen, SD. It was in Aberdeen where their seventh child, Sharise, was born. They began a new adventure opening Congress Liquor, a local convenience store. In the 17 years in business, there were many friends made and memories created. After a baseball victory, the team would often be found at the store getting a treat from Perk. Upon selling the store, Perk went to work for Gerharter Realtors working as a real estate agent/broker until he retired at age 65. For a retirement gift, his children surprised him with an acoustic bass. Although he had a 37-year absence from playing music, his passion never faltered. He began playing with the local Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association. From there, he and Joan spent many summer months traveling and playing at music festivals in the Midwest. In the last several years and up to a month before his passing, Perk played his accordion at local care centers. He was honored to receive many awards including the Dakota Musicians Hall of Fame, the Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame, and the South Dakota Music Hall of Fame. During his retirement, Perk also enjoyed writing editorials for the Aberdeen American News discussing current events and past memories... "My accordion beckons!"

Perk treasured spending time with his children and grandchildren often treating them to one of his gourmet meals. He was their number one fan at their sporting and school events, always making a point to be there. He was known to yell his iconic "yes" from the bleachers.

Ever by his side was his wife of 60 years, Joan, who he lovingly called his "chicken." You would often hear him tell her how beautiful she was. They rarely spent a night apart in those 60 years, enduring and celebrating all that God put before them. As Perk would say, "Life is good!"

Above all, Perk loved his Catholic faith and his saving Lord. He would spend time each week in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. He was an anchor to his family, providing his encouragement, wisdom, praise, but most of all, his love. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Perk is survived by his wife Joan; his children: Tim (Kim) Washenberger of Mina, SD, James Washenberger of Aberdeen, daughter-in-law Heidi Washenberger of Bend, OR, Lori Dornbusch of Aberdeen, Tom (Ellen) Washenberger of Aberdeen, Steve (Brenda) Washenberger and Shari (Todd) Clemens of Sioux Falls, SD; his brothers, Perry (Paulette) Washenberger of Spearfish, SD and James (Diane) Washenberger of Salem, VA; 18 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren.

Perk is preceded in death by his parents, his son John, and his brother, David.