Myron "Mike" Stoebner

Dates

Obituary

Myron “Mike” Robert Stoebner, 89, of Tripp, SD. With deep love and great sadness, we announce the passing of Myron “Mike” Robert Stoebner, on Oct 6, 2025. He was welcomed into God’s arms at the age of 89, surrounded by his family, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, after a battle with West Nile Virus. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Sunday, October 12, at Salem Reformed Church in Menno, SD. Burial will be at New Salem Reformed Cemetery in rural Delmont, SD. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Mike was born on Tuesday, July 21, 1936, to Robert & Martha (Meyer) Stoebner, on the George Stoebner homestead, four miles northeast of Tripp, South Dakota, in German Township. He was the only child of Robert and Martha (Meyer) Stoebner.

He was baptized in the rural Bethel Reformed church by Reverend Calvin Stuebbe on October 11, 1936. His roots in farming began early. At just four years old, his father tied him to the grain binder so he could trip the bundles—an early sign of his lifelong commitment to hard work and precision. His neat rows of bundles were so perfect, neighbors often wondered who Robert had hired. Even at a young age, Mike aimed to do everything right.

Mike was confirmed at Frieden’s Reformed Church in Tripp, SD on March 25,1951 by Reverend Walter Odenbach. He began his education at Pathfinder School #90, just one mile from home, where he learned the English language. He later graduated from Tripp High School, where he participated in football, basketball, and track, and played the baritone in the band—“poorly,” he once admitted with a smile.

In 1954, Mike enrolled at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. He was proud to serve as President of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity during his senior year and earned his Bachelor of Science in Business in 1959. That same year, he enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard, completing six months of training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He often joked about an inspection where a pin on his uniform was found to be a sixteenth of an inch off—earning him a weekend of raking leaves.

Following his service, Mike returned to the family farm in German Township, partnering with his parents. A forward-thinking and innovative farmer, he was the first in the area to plant soybeans in double rows using a four-row planter on an open tractor. His fields were immaculate, with weed-free rows and perfectly aligned markers. In 1985, he proudly raised the South Dakota State Fair Grand Champion Steer.

Over the years, the farm grew and evolved. Mike raised cattle, hogs, sheep, broilers, and ducks, and cultivated corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and grass hay. When hog prices dropped to 10 cents, he and Pat began to slowly retire, transitioning livestock to others—including a young man in Dimock who took over the sheep. Mike believed in treating every farm employee with dignity and equality, often saying, “There isn’t anything you will do that I have not done myself. And you will eat and drink at our table.”

On October 4, 1964, Mike married Patricia Guthmiller in a ceremony officiated by Pastor Henry Roemer. They shared 61 years of marriage, filled with laughter, hard work, community, and love.

Mike served his community in many roles: as Treasurer of German Township, Treasurer of Frieden’s Reformed Church, and as a board member for the Federal Land Bank in Yankton. He also sold South Dakota Certified Oat Seed and Trojan Seed Corn.

In his limited free time, Mike enjoyed cheering for his beloved Chicago Bears, playing pinochle, poker, blackjack, and visiting with friends. He loved a good hand of cards, a cold drink, and the camaraderie of those around him. In his younger years, Tripp was a bustling town, and Mike could often be found at Hink’s Café or Cookie’s Bar—back when there wasn’t a single four-way stop sign in town.

He mentored many young men who later became successful farmers themselves—carrying forward the wisdom, discipline, and values Mike lived by every day.

Mike is survived by his loving wife, Patricia; brother-in-law, J.C. Guthmiller; nephew, Judd (Jaclyn) Guthmiller and their sons Jakob and Mitchell of Volga, SD; nephew, Chad (Amber) Guthmiller and their daughters Savana, Summer, Skye, and Piper of Volga, SD and his loyal puppy Sam. He is also remembered fondly by many cousins, extended family, and countless friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Mike leaves behind a lifetime of memories—some cherished, some humorous, and a few best left untold—but all of them full of the heart, grit, and humor that made him who he was.

We will carry his stories, laughter, and lessons with us always.

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