Virgil "Lee" Walls

Virgil “Lee” Walls was born on November 5, 1922, to Virgil and Dulcie (Reedy-Plummer) Walls in a house at Esmond, SD.  At the age of one year old, his family moved to a home northwest of Esmond.  Lee lived there with his parents and sisters (Iona and Rose) for the next 16 years.  Dulcie brought to this family with her four children from her first husband (deceased): Bradley, Wayne, Ray, and Wanda Plummer.  Virgil and Dulcie moved to another house East of the “ house in the field” to one that the railroad tracks were about a 1000 yards from.

Lee entered into the farming business with his father and then at age 18, purchased the home and acreage that he brought his bride to.  On June 4, 1945, he was united in marriage to Vera Geneen Morrison of Carthage.  After the private wedding ceremony in Pierre, SD, they ventured on for their honeymoon in the beautiful Black Hills.  Lee and Vera lived in a small travel camper until their house was remodeled (including putting in running water and electricity!)  Together they began to acquire more cattle and land to make a comfortable living to raise their children with.  To this union Virginia Rae Delvaux was the first born in 1949, Alberta Kay Moore in 1952, Leann Fay Walls in 1954, and Roger Lee Walls in 1955.

Roger entered into the farming business with Lee (as Lee had done so many years earlier with his dad).  Roger has made his home directly across the road from Lee and Vera’s home to be close to the farm.  As the years progressed, the farming operation increased in size of acres and number of cattle raised.  Lee continued to farm alongside his son until about 2010, when Vera’s health began to suffer from the effects of cancer that she had.  In September, 2012, Vera died at the age of 89 due to complications from a broken hip.  Lee continued to live in his own home until the age of 93 when he experienced a diagnosis of cancer.  Both Lee and Vera “beat” cancer – being declared cancer free from their oncologists.  However, Lee made the decision to enter the De Smet Good Samaritan Nursing Home in October of 2016.

Of the many activities, organizations, and “proud” moments Lee and Vera had over the course of their married lives, the most proud was having all four of their children graduate from South Dakota State University with 4-year college degrees; each degree being paid for in full from the fruits of their labor and sacrifice.

Lee and Vera’s legacy will continue on for many years as they have seven grandchildren; Amber Delvaux, DuWayne Moore, Jennifer (Shane) Stofferahn, Alan (Shannon) Walls, Staci (Michael) Parker, Cheri (Brad) Lund, and Lauri (Chris Campbell, fiance) Walls. These grandchildren have brought 18 great-grandchildren into the fold.

Private family services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 25, 2021, at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in De Smet, SD.  Pastor Kris Larson will officiate.  The service will be Live-Streamed via the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel Facebook Live.

Public graveside services will be at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 25, 2021, at Restlawn Memorial Gardens  in Huron, SD.  Face masks are highly encouraged.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel     www.crawfordosthus.com

Watertown, Hayti, De Smet, Bryant

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Virgil "Lee" Walls, please visit our floral store.