In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Ipswich Volunteer Fire Department or Ipswich Ambulance Service.

Virgel Gene Oban was born July 17, 1935, to Tom I. and Esther (Walton) Oban in the Loyalton area.

On Sept. 19, 1954, he was united in marriage to Bernice Grenz in Eureka, S.D. Shortly after marriage, Virgel was caught in a power take off and was hospitalized from October through January. He recovered from this and proceeded to partake in road construction as they purchased their own company in 1959 now known as Oban Construction.

For 29 years, Virgel and Bernice wintered in South Padre Island, Texas, and were very fortunate to make some life-long friends. This is also where Virgel participated in his only hobby, surf-fishing.

Virgel died Friday April 16, 2010, at Avera St. Like's Hospital in Aberdeen.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Bernice; children: one son, Gene (Laurie) Oban, of Ipswich S.D., and three daughters, Corleen Oban (special friend Jeff McInally), of Rapid City, S.D., Debbie (Mark) Bossly, of Mina S.D., Sheila (Dan) Suurmeier, of Rapid City, S.D.; 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Dwaine Oban, of Dakota City, Neb., Thomas (Arlene) Oban, of Douglas, Wyo.; and one sister, Beverly Burgod, of Ipswich, S.D.; one brother-in-law, Charles DeMinck, Spearfish, S.D.

He was proceeded in death by his parents and two sisters, LaDonna Patnode and Shirley DeMinck.

The family gives a special thanks to all the emergency crew and especially June Torrence-Heinz, PA.