Lovell Bruce Wheeler
Lovell Bruce Wheeler, age 91, formerly of Imperial, NE, died on Friday, June 12, 2026 at Sanford Hospice Centennial Cottage.
A celebration of his life service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, August 7, 2026 at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory in Sioux Falls, SD. Please visit www.georgeboom.com for more information and a link to view his service online.
Lovell was born on December 14, 1934 in Peterson, Iowa to Worth and Ruby (Lewis) Wheeler. As an infant of 2-years old, Lovell’s mother passed away, and he was later adopted by Leigh and Alma Wheeler. He received his education in Paterson, graduating from Peterson High School in 1953. After graduating Lovell moved to Arlington, SD and began working on a farm. In 1957, Lovell was drafted in to the United States Army. While on leave from the Army, Lovell was united in marriage with Phyllis Blinsmon on October 18, 1957 in Luverne, MN. Following his honorable discharge from the service, Lovell returned to Arlington and began working at Farmers Co-Op in Arlington, SD, then Coopers Hatchery in Brooking’s, SD and then at the elevator, as manager, in Blakely, MN. Lovell then began his 25-year career with the US Department of Agriculture as a Grain Inspector in Iroquois, SD and Imperial, NE. In 1991, the family made their home in Sioux Falls, SD. In his retirement, Lovell worked at Hy-Vee and Sunshine Foods as well as a driving instructor with AARP.
Lovell enjoyed fishing, working in his yard, reading, woodworking, throwing horseshoes, bowling, square dancing, and in his younger years, playing baseball and softball. He continued his passion of sports and competition with the South Dakota Senior Games where Lovell competed for many years in the discus, javelin, shotput, softball and hammer throwing events for many years and competed in the National Senior Games three time. Lovell and Phyllis are both inductees of the South Dakota Senior Hall of Fame and Lovell is also an inductee of the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association Hall of Fame. Above all, Lovell loved spending time with his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend who will be deeply missed.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Phyllis Wheeler of Sioux Falls, SD; daughter, Dawn (Bruce Hawks) Wheeler of Sioux Falls, SD; two sons, Bruce (Sherri) Wheeler of Imperial, NE and Brad (Heidi) Wheeler of Imperial, NE; five grandchildren, Aric Zeeck of Chicago, IL, Valerie (Jeff) Neuharth of Elk Point, SD; Travis (Shelby) Wheeler of Imperial, NE, Katelyn (Wade) Courter of Imperial, NE and Scott (Sophie) Wheeler of Imperial, NE; six great-grandchildren, Olivia, Tucker, Ada Jo, Brooks, Kollin and Grayson.
He is preceded in death by his birth parents, Worth and Ruby Wheeler; and his adopted parents, Leigh and Alma Wheeler.