The funeral for Leslie “Les” Eberlein will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 11, 2023 at the First Presbyterian Church in Britton. Dr. Lance Griese will officiate. Spring interment will be in the Britton Cemetery with military honors, under the direction of the Price Funeral Chapel of Britton.
Visitation one hour prior to the service at the church.
The son of Floyd and Lucy (Merriman) Eberlein was born in White, SD on August 6, 1924, and raised on the family farm near Britton, SD. He graduated Britton High School, a track star running the fastest mile in SD. He served in the United States Army and achieved the rank of Drill Sergeant.
In 1946 he married Donna Mae Gullickson, daughter of Harry and Mae Gullickson. The couple made their home on a farm near Britton where they raised their two daughters. In 1976 they moved into town. In 2006 they moved to Rapid City; in 2015 they moved to Sioux Falls.
At heart Les was a farmer. He could often be heard singing above the noise of the tractor as he worked in the field. In 1957 Les opened his insurance agency. For 40 years Donna and Les worked side-by-side building one of the largest Farmers Union agencies in the United States. He qualified multiple times for the President’s Council, the Mile High Club, was the Farmers Union National Grand Champion, and the first Million Dollar Producer in the company. Les retired in 1987.
Les was a member of First Presbyterian Church, the Masons, a 72-year member of the American Legion and a lifelong member of the Democratic Party. He played bridge and whist, bowled and loved coffee-time with his buddies. The absolute joy in his life was his family - sharing adventurous travels, lots of camping trips, every holiday possible – all while setting the example, offering words of advice or finding solutions to the latest crisis. For many retirement years Les and Donna wintered in Texas.
Les passed away Saturday, February 4, 2023 at Sanford in Sioux Falls, SD, at the age of 98.
Grateful for having shared his life are his daughters, Cheryl (Denny)White of Sioux Falls and Connie (Keith) Curtis of Mesa, AZ; three grandchildren, Tonya, Ryan and Justin; and five great grandchildren, Trevor, Tiffany, Riley, Lincoln and Penelope; and sister-inlaw, Gail Eberlein.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; his brothers, Duane and Eldon and sister-in-law Lou Eberlein.
Condolences may be directed to the family in care of Cheryl White – 2505 E Palmer St. – Brandon, SD 57005 or Connie Curtis – 215 N Power Rd #302 – Mesa, AZ 85205.
An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.pricefuneralchapel.net.
