IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Ivan

Ivan Ewing Profile Photo

Ewing

Apr 22, 1925 — Oct 14, 2015

Obituary

Ivan Ewing, age 90, of Winner, passed away on Wednesday October 14, 2015 at the Winner Regional Healthcare Facility. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at the United Methodist Church in Winner. Burial will follow at the Winner City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 PM with a 7:00 prayer service on Monday, October 19, 2015 at Mason Funeral Home in Winner. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the family to be placed in a memorial fund for Ivan. Ivan Dale Ewing was born near Dallas, SD on April 22, 1925 and died on October 14, 2015. He grew up and lived most of his life in Tripp County. Ivan, also known to many as Bus or Buster, was inducted into the Army on September 22, 1943 and served as Squad Leader in the 16th Armored Division. He served in the European Theater of Operations in the 16th Tank Battalion of Headquarters Company. As squad leader Ivan was in charge of the heavy mortar squad, trained and taught battle tactics to enlisted men, supervised the work of 5 men, and was acting 1st Sargent for 3 months. Ivan was also a drill sergeant and prison guard for American prisoners at Camp Chaffee and German prisoners in France. On May 20, 1946 Ivan was honorably discharged. On April 30, 1947 Ivan married his sweetheart, Ardath Hopkins. Together they began ranching and raising their family of four children. They were married for 68 years. Ivan loved his ranch and worked hard to acquire it. As he looked across his land he often would say "How green is my valley." He took great pride in the quality of his cattle, the land and even his corrals and well built sturdy loading chutes that he built with his two sons, Bob and Neil. Ivan served on the South Dakota Brand Board and felt honored to be asked to do so. He was a leader in his community and his church, the United Methodist Church. He frequented the sale barns and loved talking about the cattle business over a cup of coffee. At home his friends and neighbors always knew coffee was hot and ready to be served along with a few good stories, jokes, and laughs. Ivan was a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and loved by all. He is survived by his wife and lifelong partner, Ardath; his four children, Carol Koenig (Larry), Bob (Mary), Marsha Swanson (Tim), and Neil (Theresa); eight of his nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Ivan was preceded in death by his parents, Milton and Kathryn; brother Stanley Ewing; sisters Georgia Mahnsen and Donna Manthey; and granddaughter Lana Ewing. He will be greatly missed along with his "cleaver", dry and quick witted humor. We all agree that he's now enjoying his raised sugared donuts with a hot cup of coffee. Though he was 90 years old he continued to have a few entertaining toys that made him and his family laugh and smile. He was always a kid at heart and loved life to the very end.
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Funeral Services

Visitation

October
19

Monday

Prayer

October
19

Monday

Starts at 7:00 am

Funeral

October
20

Tuesday

Starts at 10:00 am

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