Leroy Walter Stadem, 97, of Sioux Falls, died October 30, 2024, at the VA Medical Center in Sioux Falls. Interment with military honors will be at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, June 27, 2025, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Cemetery in Bryant, S.D. George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory in Sioux Falls have been entrusted with arrangements.
Leroy was born October 20, 1927, at home in rural Bryant to Alfred and Bergit (Holbeck) Stadem, the youngest of nine children. He graduated from Augustana Academy in Canton, S.D.; served as a Seaman 1st Class in the Navy from December 1945 to October 1947; graduated from Augustana College in Sioux Falls in 1952, and Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, M.N. in 1956 with an M. Div. On August 6, 1955, he married Elisabeth (Liz) Aamoth at Trinity Lutheran Church in Green Bay Wisconsin, where he was an intern pastor and she was the church secretary; this union was blessed with five children.
Pastor Stadem served in the South Dakota Synod of the ALC and then the ELCA for his entire ministry. He pastored churches full-time in Platte, DeSmet, Mobridge, Glenham and Sioux Falls; after retirement, he served as interim pastor past-time for numerous congregations all around South Dakota, including Brookings, Pierre, Mitchell and serving for many years at St. Dysmus Ministries. His last position was as visitation pastor at St. John American Lutheran in Sioux Falls, from which he retired at age of 89.
Lee is survived by his loving wife of 69, Liz; children Peter (Kari) Stadem of Willmar, M.N.; Stephen (Tanya) Stadem of Sioux Falls, S.D.; Rev. Timothy (Judy) Stadem of Sioux Falls, S.D.; 18 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren: Michelle (Saúl) Cuevas and Oliver, Amalia, Mila, Lydia and Lucia; Britta (Colin) Beveridge and Leif, Mills, August and Theo; David (Callie) Stadem and Elaine, Jonathon and Peter; Anna (Nick) Chase and Suren and Holden; Joel Stadem; Daniel (Megan) Stadem and Odin; Lee Stadem; Elisabeth Coats (David Martin); Rachel Stadem; Jase Stadem; Nathan Stadem; Sarah (Andrew) Kohnen and Addelyn and Sophia; Hannah (Ethan) Knobloch and Raelyn; Rahila Coats; Andrew Stadem; Rebeka Stadem (fiance Brady Wrede); Greta (Preston) Knobloch and Osmin; Philip Stadem; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; seven sisters and their husbands, and a brother; several nieces and nephews.
