Dr. Peter Stahl

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Dr. Peter Stahl, age 88 years old, formerly of Flandreau, passed away surrounded by his loving family on November 21, 2017, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. 

Pete was born on November 28, 1928, in Freeman, SD, to Reverend Peter Stahl and Barbara (Hofer) Stahl. He was raised on their family farm along with his brothers and sisters. Pete graduated from Freeman Academy in 1946 and married Janice Berg on September 22, 1950. Shortly after their marriage, Pete joined the US Army, and they moved to Colorado. In 1953, the Stahl family returned to Freeman where Pete began farming and electrical wiring for homes and businesses. After farming for many years, he changed career plans and moved his family to Chicago, so he could attend National College of Chiropractic. After graduation in 1963, Dr. Stahl and his family moved to Flandreau, SD, where he opened the Flandreau Chiropractic Clinic. Continuing his education, Dr. Stahl earned his Diplomat from the American Board of Chiropractic Orthopedists in 1973. Pete served as the President of the South Dakota Chiropractic Association from 1979-1980 and earned South Dakota Chiropractor of the Year in 1981. 

Dr. Stahl had a long and successful career serving the members of his community and retired in 1993, turning the business over to his daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Steve and Coral Headrick. Pete enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling in the Black Hills, trap shooting, golfing, and even got a hole-in-one on June 21, 1989, on the 8th hole at the Flandreau Golf Course. But not to be shown up by her husband, Janice earned her hole-in-one on the same green in 1999. Pete and Janice were faithful members of the United Methodist Church, where he enjoyed being a member of the choir. The couple moved to Sioux Falls a few years ago.

Pete is survived by his wife of 67 years: Janice Stahl, of Sioux Falls, SD; three daughters: Randeen Kelsay of Sioux Falls, Coral (Steve) Headrick of Ponte Vedra, FL and Lorie (Hal) Otey of Cordova, TN; one son: Wyatt (Lynnett) Stahl of Little Canada, MN; grandchildren, Adam (Renee) Headrick, Meghan (Dan) Gillette, Brent (Jacque) Headrick, Sara (John) Schmidt, Eliana Stahl, and Graham Otey; great grandchildren: Paige and Hope Headrick, Wesley, Wyatt, Wareke, Russell, and Michael Gillette; two sisters: Barbara Stahl Berg of Sioux Falls and Velma (Don) Stahl Friesen of Bradshaw, NE; and several loving nieces and nephews. 

Dr. Stahl was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Peter J. and Barbara Stahl, two brothers, John Stahl and Sam Stahl, and three sisters, Kathryn Rueb, Edna Waltner and Sarah Becker. He was also preceded in death by his son, Bret Allen Stahl, who passed away in his arms the day after Christmas in 1960.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Dougherty Hospice House or the South Dakota Chiropractic Scholarship Foundation.

His funeral service was held Friday, Dec. 1 at the Salem-Zion (North) Mennonite Church near Freeman.