Community Helps Harvest 500 Acres Of Corn For Late Farmer Who Served Town For 40 Years

Nov 03, 2022 by apost team

Some people say the best way to know if a person lived a great life is by the number of people who showed up at their funeral to show their respects. Then again, it’s not really the case for everyone, as we’ll never know the circumstances of why family members and friends can’t show up to one’s funeral. It could be because that person lived somewhere else, far from the place they grew up in, thus making it impossible to attend the funeral. Or maybe that person simply didn’t have that many friends when they were still alive. The point is that funerals don't always measure the kindness of a person.

But sometimes, you’ll know if you made a difference when you were still alive if people go the extra mile, make an effort, and show that they will always be there for you even if you are no longer around. Duane Struck of South Dakota, who was better known as Butch to his friends, was that person.

Struck was a farmer who was well-loved by the people in his town for the great things he did when he was still alive. Having grown up on a farm, it’s no wonder why he always loved anything farming, as stated in his obituary. While he started working in construction after his graduation, he eventually became a Standard Oil Jobber. For the next three decades, he and his wife operated and owned Struck Oil Company.

Struck and his wife moved to a farm in Humboldt, South Dakota, in 1981, dedicating the rest of his life to farming.

Sadly, his time on earth came to an end when he passed away in June 2022. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, his son, grandchildren, and several other family members behind.

Before he died at the age of 77, Struck planted many corns. Sadly, he was no longer around when harvesting time finally arrived in October 2022.

One of Struck’s friends, Jeff Kapperman, told KELOLAND News in an interview that a lot of people came to help harvest over 500 acres of corn.

“He had a little over 500 acres of corn worth taking out for him today. There’s 14 combines, probably that many trucks and grain carts out for him today,” Kapperman recalled.

Unsurprisingly, a lot of people came to help than expected. That’s right. The people leading the harvesting even had to ask some of those who came to just go home after seeing so many people arrive at the field. But it’s no wonder Struck was well-loved by many.

When he was still alive, he held several posts in Humboldt for four decades, including past Mayor of Humboldt, a member of the Humboldt Township board, the Humboldt Elevator Board, a Humboldt Threshing Bee Committee member, and a member of the Humboldt Volunteer Fire Department.

“Butch was everybody’s friend. Whenever someone needed something, Butch was there to do it. I mean, no questions asked, he showed up,” Kapperman said.

Kapperman then turned emotional when he shared how special Butch was to him.  

“He was my best friend. And more than once, when I was having difficulties or had some problems of my own, Duane showed up to help me. We talked just about every day. And it was really a shock when he passed away. But we all hope he’s in a better place,” Kapperman said.

apost.com

What can you say about the people who came together to help harvest the hundreds of acres of corn at Butch Struck’s farm? Let us know your thoughts, and pass this on to anyone who might find this story interesting!