Irwin Symens
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Amherst, SD: The funeral service for Irwin Symens will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 19, 2021 at Zion Reformed Church of Amherst with Rev. Hal Phoenix officiating. Burial will be in the Amherst Cemetery under the direction of the Price Funeral Chapel of Britton. The funeral will be livestreamed on the Price Funeral Chapel Facebook page.
Visitation will be 6-7:00 p.m. Sunday, April 18, 2021 at the church, concluding with a prayer service at 7:00.
Irwin Arnold Symens was born July 23, 1936 in Britton, SD to Wilbert Irwin and Inga Camilla (Severson) Symens. He grew up on the family farm near Amherst. He attended all twelve grades of school in Amherst and graduated from Amherst High School in 1954. He then attended Northwestern Bible College in Orange City, IA followed by a two-year agriculture program at SDSU in Brookings. After completing his education, Irwin returned and helped on the family farm.
On June 19, 1959 Irwin was united in marriage with Cleo Rae Rademacher at the First Lutheran Church in Britton. They started farming on their own in the Amherst area. Together they farmed and raised their family and have made it their home these past 61 years. In 1966, Irwin began farming with his siblings under the name of Symens Brothers, and remained active in the operation until retiring in 2011.
Since his retirement, Irwin found great joy in putting together jigsaw puzzles. After completing them, he would glue them together and give them as gifts to family and friends. In his younger years, Irwin did beautiful leather tool work.
Irwin was a lifelong member of Zion Reformed Church in Amherst where he held a number of different offices and positions over the years. He was a staunch supporter in establishing the BDM Rural Water system that serves our area. His love of farming and respect for the land caused him to devote time to a number of different organizations. He served on the boards of the county and state Conservation Boards, the Crow Creek Board and Crop Improvement Board.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife of 61 years, Cleo Symens; his children: Susan (Scott) Hardina, Jeannine (Ken) Walker, Connie (Jason) Christians, Brad (Jenn) Symens; seven grandchildren: Steven (Shannon Raby) Hardina, Jessica Christians, Ashley (Brad) Van Tubergen, Samantha (Max Armstrong) Walker, Michelle (Jesse) DeKam, Lauren (Trever Neal) Hardina, Elizabeth Walker; four great-grandchildren: Sophie DeKam, Lily DeKam, Kaylee Neal, Analyn Neal; his siblings: Althea Prouty, David Symens, Herman (Judy) Symens, Karen (Darrel) Jongeling, Paul (Faye) Symens, Doris Armstrong, John (Shirley) Symens; his in-laws: Craig Schmidle, Ruth Rademacher, Vicky Witham and Shirley (Roger) Schuller.
Preceding him in death were his parents, a sister, Faye Schmidle; a grandson, Ethan Christians; brothers-in-law: Lamoyne Prouty, Gene Armstrong, Burton Rademacher and Claire Witham; and a sister-in-law, Marjorie Symens.
In lieu of flowers the family request donations to the South Dakota Conservation Endowment Fund. Please mail directly to SDACD; PO Box 275; Pierre, SD 57501 and indicate in memory of Irwin Symens.
Condolences may be directed to the family in care of Cleo Symens - 41479 116th Ave - Claremont, SD 57421.
An online guestbook and obituary are available at www.pricefuneralchapel.net.