Obituary of Sam Nusz

Sam Nusz, age 94, of Menno, SD passed away Thursday, March 13, 2014 at the Menno-Olivet Care Center, Menno, SD. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Monday, March 17, 2014 at the Salem Reformed Church, Menno, SD with Rev. Michael Hecht officiating and United States Flag Presentation by the South Dakota Army National Guard Honor Guard, Sioux Falls, SD. Burial will be in the Menno Cemetery with Military Graveside Rites by the Rames-Bender American Legion Post #152, Menno, SD. Visitations will be from 3 to 6 PM, Sunday, at the Aisenbrey-Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Menno, SD. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Simeon (Sam) August Nusz was born to F. August and Martha (Ulmer) Nusz on October 12, 1919, on the family farm in Menno, South Dakota. He was baptized by Pastor Johannes Bodenman at Ebenezer Reformed Church. He was confirmed at Salem Reformed Church, also by Pastor Johannes Bodenman. Sam received elementary education in rural Molan School, District #60. Thereafter he continued to help on the family farm. Before Rural Electrification Association (REA), he erected WINCHARGERS, installed light plants for farmers, repaired rural telephone lines and many evenings, repaired hand crank wall telephones, battery operated and 110 volt AC radios. Sam 'broke' horses, until misfortune with a horse occurred, causing him to suffer a broken back. The doctor bill was $2.00. After a lengthy and painful recuperation, he again needed to learn to walk. On March 22, 1941, Sam was with the first draftees from Hutchinson County to leave for military service. Among other duties during this time, he and several GI's from different camps were sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, not knowing why. This team, of less than ten, were told to develop a radio remote control airplane. They succeeded and flew three planes in about a three month time frame. They were then given a pat on the back and told to go back to the camps they had come from. On March 22, 1944, the unit Sam was a part of, left for overseas. They arrived in England and, he was placed with the 204th Field Artillery, which was attached to General George Patton's XX Ghost Corps. He was involved on the momentous D-Day, Normandy Invasion, landing on Utah Beach, Battle of the Bulge (breaking through the Siegfried Line) and Liberation of Camp Dachau. Sam was a combat GI throughout his military career. In October 1945, he received an honorable discharge. On January 30, 1944, Sam and Stella Harnisch were married by Pastor Edward Bischop of Grace Lutheran Church. After Sam was discharged from the service, he became a licensed electrician. Sam worked with the REA for a time. It was at this time that the REA was at its high point, supplying power in rural areas. During the 50th anniversary of the REA in 1985, it was said the REA was the second best thing that ever happened. The best thing that ever happened was the Love of God. Shortly after returning back from WWII, he legally changed his name to Sam. In 1946 Sam and Stel settled in on a farm in the Meridian area east of Menno. Sam assisted his father at the Menno Mercantile Implement (The Merc), doing mechanical work and installing milk machines with the late Harley Bittner, who was employed at the Merc. Andrew and Sam continued operating Menno Mercantile after the death of their father. When confronted with broken equipment or mechanical failure, it became a challenge for Sam to service or repair. Work was Sam's hobby. Sam believed in supporting the community which is evidenced by his service on multiple boards and service organizations. The organizations included the rural school board, rural telephone board, township board, Salem Reformed Consistory, and Menno City Council. He is survived by his wife, Stella; three children: Philip (Kennis) Nusz of Salt Lake City, UT, Jeffrey (Linda) Nusz of Menno, SD, and Norma (Cliff) Chandler of Brookings, SD; grandchildren: Nathan (Michele) Nusz, Jill (Matt) Mettler, Heath Nusz, Nicole (Justin) Kruse, Chad (Teresa) Boettcher, Morgan Boettcher, Sean (Jen) Chandler, Matt (Amber) Chandler, TJ Chandler, Aaron (Kelly) Chandler; 16 great grandchildren with one soon to arrive; sisters, Delorzi Nusz Fields, and Carline (Susie) Nusz Graber, and brother, Rumie (Verlene) Nusz. Sam was preceded in death, by his parents, his brother, Andrew Nusz, sisters, Juliet Kaufman and Marie Nusz, and a great grandchild, Owen Nusz.