On September 24, 2020, Orville “Bert” Lerew passed away at the age of 98. Born on March 18, 1922 to Bert and Marie (Price) Lerew, Orville was a long-time resident of Faulkton, SD but had recently moved to Kansas to be closer to family.
On November 12, 1946 Bert married the love of his life, Inez Rose Peterson. A loving and understanding father, Bert and Inez raised two daughters, Renee and Laurel. During this time, he served as a rural mail carrier, serving for thirty years.
An avid outdoorsman, Bert capitalized on every opportunity to spend time fishing with his grandchildren, walking his traplines, and hunting/guiding family and friends. Bert was always thrilled to mentor anyone wanting to learn about the outdoors. One of the original conservationists, Bert was a Charter member and past president of the South Dakota Trappers Association. He was passionate about wildlife and never missed an opportunity to share his vast knowledge, even serving as a lobbyist for the SDTA in the Senate. Continuing his outdoor lifestyle, Bert was an active member of the AQHA, raising quarter horses for many years, and was an Arctic Cat snowmobile dealer.
After graduating Cresbard High School in 1940, Bert was drafted in 1942 into the U.S. Army as a member of the 7th Armored Division of the 87th Cavalry, AKA the “Ghost Division.” During his service in WWII he advanced rapidly to the rank of Staff Sergeant and Platoon Leader. He served in many theatres, earning the Bronze Star, Medal of Verdun, Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf Cluster, WWII Liberty Medal, and the European Theatre of Operations Ribbon with four Battle Stars. In 2019 Bert was awarded the French Legion of Honor medal, France’s highest distinction. After his military service, Bert became a member of the Disabled Veterans of America and the American Legion, where he was a 75-year member.
Bert is preceded in death by his parents, wife Inez, sisters Jane Lerew, Rose Maurer, Edna Mae Lerew, and LaVerne Barton; and one brother, Ted Lerew. He is survived by his brothers Vernon Lerew and Wilber Lerew, his daughter Renee and husband Rick Lewis of Selden, KS; and adopted daughter Laurel. He has three grandchildren: Troy Ochsner, of Selden, KS; Robynn and husband Chris Wessel, of Selden, KS; and Christopher Lewis, of Trenton, NE; seven great-grandchildren, and numerous friends and extended family. To know him was to love him and he made friends all over the country.
Services will be at a later date. Memorials may be sent to the Faulkton American Legion Post #102 or the South Dakota Trappers Association in care of Pauls Funeral Home, 121 N Penn Ave, Oberlin, KS 67749. Condolences may be left at www.paulsfh.