Alan Surdez

Alan was born on March 28, 1945 at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the son of Floyd and Doris Surdez. He grew up just north of Sioux Falls. He attended country school and later graduated from Baltic High School. After high school, Alan worked as a cabinet maker and a welder. He worked in California for 10 years and then moved to Crooks, South Dakota where he purchased a small farm. He raised livestock for many years. He also worked at Hutchison Technology and with Midwestern Mechanical for several years. Alan always kept busy with welding and fabrication jobs, too. Alan married Elaine Gabel on December 27, 2003 near Canton, South Dakota and lived on the farm at Crooks. In the Fall of 2011, Alan had a stroke that forced him to sell his cattle and retire. He moved to Canton in 2015. He was 71 years old when he passed away on December 19, 2016 at Bethany Home in Sioux Falls. Alan enjoyed entertaining and cooking for folks at his home. Using his mechanical and welding skills, he built an Avery tractor from just a handful of original parts. He took up oil painting as a hobby and painted many landscapes. He is survived by his wife, Elaine of Canton; a daughter, Dione Oliver and a granddaughter, Patience; three step-daughters, Rhonda McMillan of Phoenix, AZ, Terri Miller of Sioux Falls and Joley (Doug) Childress of Canton; and numerous nieces and nephews. Alan is preceded in death by his parents; three siblings, Floyd, Harlan and Lavonne Long; and two sons, Leigh and William.