George Imbery

George J. Imbery, 97, of Aberdeen, SD, was called to heaven on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at Nano Nagle Village.  George was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  He was a self-made man and the patriarch of a big, beautiful family blessed with many children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2 p.m., Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aberdeen, with Father Gregory Tschakert officiating.  A time of fellowship and refreshments will be served following the mass.

Burial will be at the Veteran’s Administration Cemetery in Sioux Falls at a later date.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the mortuary, with a liturgical wake at 7 p.m. with a rosary to follow.  Visitation continues one hour before Mass 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 and view the service on Schriver’s Memorial Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SchriversMemorial.

George J. Imbery was born on October 19, 1926, to John and Philopena (Gisi) Imbery on his grandfather Balzar Gisi’s farm in Hosmer, SD, where he was raised and attended rural schools.

George enlisted in the United States Army in April 1945. While serving in Austria, he was a German language interpreter and driver for General Mark Clark and drove the general as the first contingent to secure Hitler’s hideout known as the Eagle’s Nest. He received an Honorable Discharge as a Tech 6 on November 8, 1946. His WWII Decorations included a victory medal, good conduct medal, and German Army Occupation Medal.

George returned to the United States and married Irene M. Heilman on January 31, 1949, in Bowdle, SD. They farmed in the Hosmer area from 1949 to 1951. George attended Barber School in Minneapolis, MN, graduating in May 1952. He moved his family to Aberdeen, making that the family’s home. George opened Imbery’s Barber Shop, which he owned and operated for 58 years until retiring in 2006 at the age of 80.

 Aside from being a Barber for 58 years, George had many other talents.  He was a talented builder who built two of their family homes, and he also did carpentry and taping for others.  George also loved working on their son Ron’s farm in Eureka, SD, which he did for many years.

George’s favorite pastimes included putting together puzzles, gardening, and especially woodworking. Turning wood on his lathe was one of his truest passions. George made doll cradles for all his grandchildren and donated many of them to the community for various fundraisers.  He enjoyed the outdoors, was an avid hunter and fisherman, and made several trips to Canada.  George’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren fondly remember Grandpa George, regaling them with many fascinating and detailed stories.  He was a talented, engaging storyteller with an excellent memory for accuracy.

George and Irene were lifelong members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. George was also a lifetime member of the American Legion, the VFW, and the Knights of Columbus. In 2011, at the age of 85, he participated in the Honor Flight to commemorate the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC.

Grateful for having shared George’s life are his loving wife Irene of 75 years, and their twelve children: Shiela (Larry) Haaland and their children: Nathaniel (Cherie), Nicole (Vaughn) Zepp, and Lonnie (Kim); Ron (Cathy) Imbery and their children: Ranee Nieman, Rachelle (Greg) Gutierrez, and Rhonda; Susan (Gary) Schelske and their children: Daughter-in-law Amber and their son Isaac; Sara (Gunnar) Olson, and Brent (Kate); Sharon (Scott) Goodspeed and their children: Terra (Rob) Zahn, and Nadeen (Brad) Comes; Carol (Lee) Halvorson and their children: Jackie (Shane) Madsen, Jenny Houwman, and Amy (Travis) Olsen; John (Coleen) Imbery and their Children: Nick, Miles (Callie), and Emily; Vickie (Bob) Vanderhoek and their children: Corey (Jodi) and Melissa (Chris) Jung; Juli (David) Feist and their children: Tyler (Emily), Andrea (Brady) Techen, Jordan (Courtney), and Hannah (Ethan) Schulte; Janet Hughes and her children: Matt (Callie), and Brandon; Sandy (Mark) Hoerner and their children: Rachel (James) Schnert, and Austin (Chantel); Becky (Dennis) Hinz and their children: Savana (Matt) Gilbert, Cassandra (Lance) Feickert, and Mason; and Jamie (Tisa) Imbery and their children: Anthony (Caitlin) and Megan.

George had 33 grandchildren, 61 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by his two brothers, Royal and Melvin (Betty), and many nieces and nephews.

George was preceded in death by his parents and parents-in-law, daughter-in-law Janet Horan Imbery, son-in-law Michael Hughes, and grandsons Ryan James Imbery and Michael Joseph Schelske.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

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