George Frederick Sigafoos went home to heaven on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at his home in Hot Springs.

George was born on December 12, 1934, to Byron LeRoy and Margaret May (Smith) Sigafoos at Sisters Hospital in Hot Springs, South Dakota. Other than his seventh-grade year in Lusk, Wyoming, six months at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and two years in Sundance, Wyoming, George spent his entire life in Hot Springs. He graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1952 before completing a cabinetry course in Springfield, SD.

George enlisted in the South Dakota Army National Guard on March 28, 1957. He volunteered for six months of active-duty training, advancing to combat construction specialist, and attaining Sharpshooter status. He then served in company B of the 109th Engineer Battalion in Hot Springs before being honorably discharged on March 27, 1963. During his time in the National Guard, he helped to build and repair several South Dakota bridges, including the Keystone Wye Bridge.

There was never a dull moment in George’s life. He married Judith Pischke at Bethesda Lutheran Church on July 7, 1962. The couple raised six children as well as cows, horses, pigs, rabbits, poultry, and Collies. After his education in Springfield, SD, he joined Jim Parsons as a partner in his building contractor business. He purchased Lash Lumber Company, which later became Variety Building Industries. He lived at 506 Jennings, before moving to land in the 1970s which he developed in Valley View Drive. He also worked as foreman for Ramstad Construction. George taught his family and many Explorer Scouts how to canoe, and led them on numerous canoeing adventures including trips to the Canadian Quetico. He was an Explorer Scout Leader, helping the scouts cut Christmas Trees each year. He and his family survived a fire that had completely destroyed their octagon home in January 1984, and narrowly escaped the Vineyard Fire in 2018. He was very active in his churches and missions, including jail ministry. He served on the Hot Springs City Council for a time in the 1960s.

George is survived by his devoted wife Judi, daughters Beth (Roger) Trennepohl, Marah (Loren) Sandoz, and Leah (Art) Balgheim; sons Shawn, Seth (Rhiana) and Shem (Lauren) Sigafoos; brother Charles Sigafoos and sister Yvonne Taylor, 17 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother William LeRoy ‘Bill’ Sigafoos.

George is buried at the Pringle Cemetery.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to the Stillwater Hospice for their assistance with George’s end-of-life care.