Douglas E. Levering

JEFFERSON, S.D. -- Douglas E. Levering, 86, of Jefferson passed away of a lengthy illness Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010, at Westwood Rehab Center in Sioux City.

Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel in Sioux City, with the Rev. Sam Todd officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, with family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the funeral home.

Douglas was born Feb. 20, 1924, to Ralph and Fern (Hansen) Levering, in Sioux City.

He married Mary L. Gaines on April 28, 1945, in Spokane, Wash. She passed away Nov. 16, 1980. Doug married Dorothy Altmanshofer Hummel in Sioux City on Sept. 23, 1983. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a lifelong resident of Sioux City; after retirement, he moved to Jefferson. Doug owned his own business, Levering Construction, and built many homes throughout the city.

He was a member of the Morningside Country Club in the 1950s and '60s. He was also a member of the McCook Lake Twirlers.

Doug's family meant everything to him. He looked forward to any time the family could get together for a little reunion. He always had a story to tell and everyone loved to hear him reminisce. He had a sense of humor that kept you captivated. Doug could make a friend anywhere he went. His infectious smile and quick wit charmed everyone. He was an avid fisherman, golfer, bowler and gardener. In his younger years he was always getting back from a fishing trip or getting ready for the next one. He taught everyone in his family how to catch a walleye. Many people remember him on the Big Bowl bowling show, where he won a 1965 Mustang and a 1968 Barracuda. Those were only a few of his many accomplishments in bowling. Every year he had a garden and took pride in it. He was best known for his beautiful gladiolas. In the wintertime, he would like to create things out of wood. He made everything from trinkets to furniture and it was all made to perfection. These last few years you often could see him down at the Boat (casino) relaxing and enjoying a little gambling with Dorothy.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Levering of Jefferson; four children, Larry (Connie) Levering of Texas, Gary (Joann) Levering of California, Linda (Mike) Foland of Sioux City, and Rick Levering of Oto, Iowa; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and one on the way; four stepchildren, Gary (Carol) Hummel of Texas, Larry (Linda) Hummel of Arkansas, Linnette (Bill) Mulder of South Dakota, and Ron (Marci) Hummel of Sioux City; three stepgrandchildren; and his sister, Shirley Johnston of Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Mary Gaines Levering; and his sister, Joan Levering.

Pallbearers will be Terry Levering, Troy, Gary, Larry, and Ron Hummel, Bill Mulder, Eric Carlson, and Joe Whitaker.