David "Dave" Sueltz

Dave Sueltz “The Singing Farmer” of Watertown, SD passed away peacefully at home at the age of 93 on Saturday, March 1, 2025.

David Alfred Sueltz was born on February 8, 1932, to Alfred and Alma (Adler) Sueltz at St. Lukes Hospital in Aberdeen, SD. David grew up on a farm near Bath, SD in Brown County. He attended school in rural East Gem Township and Groton High School.

Dave married Shirley Thompson on October 14, 1951, at James Lutheran Church in James, SD. The couple farmed in the Groton area for 45 years and had three children, Kris, Kim, and Scott. Together they attended James Lutheran Church and later West Hansen and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Aberdeen. When they moved to Watertown in 1994, they joined Lutheran Church of our Redeemer and then Hosanna Lutheran Church. Shirley passed away in October of 2011.

Dave lived and breathed farming his entire life. While in the farming business, Dave had a grain operation and raised cattle and enjoyed competing in local tractor pulls. When not farming, he would take the family boating on Pickeral Lake or ice skating on the James River. After retiring from active farming, he still helped with harvest and would always drive up to see what was happening in the field or call and see how all his guys were getting along. He enjoyed selling tractor puzzles at farm shows and taking his classic tractors to parades.

Aside from farming, Dave and Shirley enjoyed camping and going to country music concerts and parades. They also traveled to Branson, MO, Niagara Falls, Alaska, New York and many other places, collecting key chains from wherever they went.

Dave “The Singing Farmer” had a wonderful voice and often sang at weddings and funerals. He also sang for programs in nursing homes and assisted living facilities across the state with his wife.

A special heartfelt thanks to the Jesse Peterson family for being the best neighbors imaginable to Dave, being available at any time to do whatever was asked; and to Jasmine Macconnell, who made it possible for Dave to live at home to the very end.

Grateful to have shared in Dave’s life are his children, Kris Fliehs, Kim (Dale) Holt and Scott (Susan) Sueltz; ten grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and his brother, Dan (Janell) Sueltz.

David is preceded in death by his wife, Shirley; his parents; and sisters, Donna and Dorothy.