Tony passed away March 28, 2013, in Sioux Falls after a long illness.
Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge is in charge of arrangements.
Anthony Nicholas Buckmeier was born in Meadow on Jan. 12, 1936, to Margaret and Anton Buckmeier. Tony was an avid sports fan, spending many a night watching high school football, volleyball and basketball games. He also loved to watch the Vikings and Fighting Irish play football. His other passion was golf. He enjoyed riding in his golf cart and spending time on the course. He loved to travel and succeeded in visiting 47 states, Mexico, and most of Canada. Much of this travel was done in a Ford Galaxy 500 with no air conditioning, an AM radio, and two very hyperactive children in the back seat asking, "are we there yet" every 20 miles. Tony had enormous patience.
Tony graduated from Bison High School in 1954 as valedictorian of his class. He then attended the University of South Dakota Business School followed by USD Law School, graduating in 1961. After college, he came to Mobridge to practice law with Ivan Bormann. He continued to practice law for over 50 years, receiving recognition from the state bar of South Dakota for his lengthy and excellent service. His clients were always his number one concern. While in college, he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega social fraternity, Dakotans, Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society, and listed in Who's Who in American Colleges, Inter-fraternity Council and served as Vice-President of the Student Government.
While living in Mobridge, Tony was a member of St. Joseph's Church, Knights of Columbus and 4th Degree, Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary. He served as city attorney for Mobridge and McLaughlin for a number of years and was a member of the Mobridge Hospital Board and Mobridge School Board.
He married his college sweetheart and love of his life, Jeaneane, in 1958, at the Cathedral in Sioux Falls. Their first son, Anthony Mark, was born in 1960, followed by Brian Edward in 1962. Family always came first in his life, attending all of their events.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years; son and daughter-in-law: Anthony and Shelly Buckmeier; granddaughters: Allyson and Lindsey, of Fairfax, Va.; son, Brian Edward and his fiancée, Frances Wetzbarger, of Sioux City, Iowa; grandsons: Carter and Adam; brother, Duane (Rose) Buckmeier of Prairie City and their daughter, Melanie (Narsisso) Acosta; and sister, Darlene (Arnold) Peck of Bowdle and their daughters: Denise Tescher of Rapid City and Audrey (Josh) Burris of Aberdeen.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret and Anton Buckmeier; grandson, Grant Buckmeier; and his grandparents, the Frank Buckmeiers and the Nick Wunders of Bison.
He left behind family and friends who loved and admired him for being a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend. Family was his greatest joy. Visiting with his sons and grandchildren always made his day that much brighter. He will be missed and remembered every day. If the life of a person can be measured in the good things they accomplished during their life, how they lived their life and the impact they had on the people they encountered throughout their life, then Tony lived an exceptional life.
Tony's family would like to thank everyone for their kind words, gifts, flowers and prayers.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Joseph's Catholic Church building fund or Mobridge Swimming Pool Fund.