Funeral services for Harold M. Lantz Jr., 86, of Pukwana, SD will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 22, 2025 at St. James Catholic Church in Chamberlain, SD.  Visitation will begin one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be at a later date.

Junior Lantz was born January 27th, 1939 at Kimball, South Dakota to Eileen Myers and Harold Lantz Sr. In 1949 the house he was born in was moved to the family farm outside Pukwana where it still stands.

Junior attended country School in the area. He graduated from Pukwana High School top three in his class.

Following high school Junior joined the Army national guards. He served his country and the state of South Dakota for 6 years. All the while farming with his family.

Junior met his soulmate and wife Trudi of 64 years, 8 months and 11 days in Pukwana South Dakota. They were married at St. Anthony Church in Pukwana to this union four children were born Jackie, Todd, Jodee and Janell

Throughout his lifetime, Junior served on the Brule County co-op board, Cleveland township board and mowed the Pukwana cemetery.

His hobbies include driving stock car, playing cards and watching westerns.

After returning in 2007, he began woodworking, he made it his mission to create a keepsake for all of his grandchildren.

Most recently he took pride in showing off his 1964 Ford Thunderbird.

Junior was proud to be a farmer and took great care of making his place look good.

Junior passed away on February 15, 2025 at Sanford Medical Center in Chamberlain, SD. Grateful for sharing his life is his wife Trudi Lantz of Pukwana, three daughters, Jackie and Dennis McMurtry of Faith, SD,  Jodee Lantz (Steve) of Pukwana, SD, Janell Basting (Chad) of Chamberlain, SD. One son, Todd Lantz of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. 14 grandchildren Tyrae McMurtry, Bronc (Mindy) McMurtry, Tori McMurtry Rudy, Tia (Sheldon) Stewart, Blaze McMurtry, Ryan (Carla) Lantz, Colt Lantz, Chance (Emily) Lantz, Tommi (Ryan) Huelsmann, Caden Lantz, Jade (Leah) Basting, Gage Basting (Katelyn), Traten Basting (Virginia) and Kutter Basting. 19 great-grandchildren and two on the way. Siblings Carol (Steve) Johnson, Nancy Hrabe, Sharon Smith, Vickie (Dan) Dykes. Sister in-laws; Cynthia Lantz, Dorothy Camp, Diane Strange, Joyce Bricker and several nieces and nephews. Lifetime friends Rob Myers and Bill Leiferman.

Preceded in death by his parents. Harold and Eileen Lantz Sr, brother Clifford Lantz, Mother-In-Law Hilda Hanson, sisters Marlene Simmons, Marlys Clutter and Kay Fletcher daughter-in-law Vicki Lantz.

Lastly, Junior 's favorite quote: "That's all I have to report."