WAGNER, S.D. — Gene Dressler was born Oct. 2, 1930 on a farm near Claflin, Kan., the son of Ernest and Caroline (Budig) Dressler. He passed away March 2, 2026 at the Sioux Falls, SD VA Hospice Cottage.

After high school Gene was a postal clerk for the US Postal Service in Claflin, Kan. for 3.5 years. At the same time, he owned and operated a mink farm. The Korean War was going on, so Gene sold his mink farm and volunteered for the Army Medical Corp. He served the Army from June of 1952 until June of 1954. After being discharged, Gene started college at Kansas State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree and later a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1960.

During his college days Gene worked in Alaska during the summers. His work included gold mining, fighting forest fires and contractor work. After graduation Gene joined Meriwether Vet Clinic in Miller, S.D. for two years.

Gene married his loving wife Gertrude (Gert) Stratton on Nov. 30, 1961. They enjoyed 53 years together before her death on May 19, 2014. They moved to Wagner, S.D. where Gene joined Dr. Ken Sadler and formed the Sadler-Dressler Vet Clinic. Dr. Sadler retired in 1975. Gene continued the practice until his retirement in October of 1993, after 33 years of practice.

Gene had a passion for hunting and fishing. He passed that passion on to his children and grandchildren and enjoyed spending time doing so with them. He and Gert spent many enjoyable summers at their cabin on Lake of the Woods, in Ontario, Canada, along with their children. Gene was also a 50+ year member of Ducks Unlimited, a past state director of Pheasants Forever and long time member of the SD Wildlife Federation.

Gene is survived by his five children, Jodi (Rich) Nedved of Wagner, S.D., Kimberly (Ken) Weisser of Brush, Colo., Michael (Laura) Dressler of Harrisburg, S.D., Michelle (John) Magera of Sioux Falls, S.D., Howard Todd (Cindy) Dressler of Rapid City, S.D.; 20 grandchildren; and 19 great grandchildren. Gene was preceded in death by his wife Gert; his parents; son Douglas; granddaughter Missy Weisser; and sister Virginia Klepper.

Funeral services are 11 a.m., Saturday, March 7, 2026 at the United Methodist Church in Wagner with military honors. Visitation is at the church on Friday from 5-7 p.m. Peters Funeral Home in Wagner, S.D. is in charge of arrangements.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Peters Funeral Home

P.O. Box 218

Wagner, SD 57380

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, March 7, 2026