L loyd Stukel, 77, of Winner, SD passed away on Monday, June 26, 2017 at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Facility in Winner, SD.  Funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 10:30AM the Gregory United Methodist Church in Gregory, SD.  Burial will follow in the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory, SD.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to funeral service.

Lloyd Thomas Stukel was born on October 29, 1939.  Lloyd spent his very early years on a farm just outside of Gregory, SD.  He is the oldest of six children.  When he was very young, the family moved into Gregory for a short time.  They then moved to Minneapolis where Lloyd spent most of his life.

Lloyd attended the Michael Doweling School for handicapped children.  He loved school.  He learned to button his clothes, walk, and read, among other things.  He attended school until age 16 when he began working for United Cerebral Palsy.  He had worked for several companies through UPC including putting together Tonka trucks, counting store cents-off coupons, and putting together fabric sample books.  He worked for UPC for 30 years and says, "I loved every minute of it."

Lloyd and his mother moved to the Winner area in 1985 after his father passed away.  Lloyd spent many hours visiting friends, helping his mother around the house and watching sports.  Years ago he rescued an abandoned puppy he called Pepper.  When he was still home, Lloyd would spend time driving in his electric wheelchair, and walking Pepper at the same time.

Lloyd was a long time member of the Winner Regional Long Term Care Facility.  He enjoyed watching his favorite  team, the Twins, on TV, church services, the many musical events, and any opportunity to dress up in costume.  In fact, Lloyd was one of the winners in a Halloween costume contest.  Lloyd is best known around there as someone who likes to play harmless, yet fun tricks on the staff.  Winner Regional Long Term Care Facility was very happy to name Lloyd the Resident of the Month in 2003.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert J. and Myra E. Stukel (Graesser) and brothers Robert ,Jr., Joseph and Roger.  He is survived by his sister Kathleen Janecek and brother Wallace (Elaine), sisters-in-law Shirley Warecki and Nancy Stukel and 18 nieces and nephews.

Memorials are preferred to United Cerebral Palsy (ucp.org) or your favorite charity.