George Washington Cluts

George Washington Cluts, 88, retired banker passed on July 5th, to be with his Heavenly Father Jesus Christ after suffering from multiple myeloma.  He was born February 22, 1928 in Vienna, S.D., the son of John and Mildred (Doll Glines) Cluts.

A memorial service will be held August 12, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church at Doland. The Reverend Peter Utecht will officiate with Betty Satter as the organist.  All his grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.  Honorary pallbearers will be coworkers from Security State Bank: Jane Crist, Betty Bell, Kathy Muxen, Donna Gilbert, Shirley Johnson, Laura Elie, and Carol Houghtaling.

His family moved to Dell Rapids, S.D. for four years where George at the age of 13 played trumpet with the high school band having to have a band uniform made for him due to his young age. The family moved back to Vienna in 1941 where George graduated Valedictorian of his Class of 1946 and was awarded scholarships from the University of Vermillion and the School of Mines in Rapid City.

He met his wife, Virginia (Lowe) in his father's grocery store in Vienna. They were united in marriage December 12, 1948.

George accepted a position with the Citizens State Bank in Vienna and later moved to Doland, S.D. in 1957 working at the Security State Bank, where he continued for forty years selling insurance and real estate before retiring as the President and CEO.  He then went to work for American Express as a financial advisor for several years.

George's mother Doll and his four sisters formed "Doll Cluts and her Melody Girls" becoming very popular in which George played in after the girls started getting married.

George received his pilot's license and purchased a Cessna plane which he loved flying and giving rides in.  In 1967, George and Virginia purchased 100 acres 12 miles west of Doland on the James River and built their home. Many happy memories were made here.  He purchased some cattle but soon found out it wasn't much fun to come home after dark and feed them with a flashlight.  In order to save the bridge from being torn down, he purchased the railroad bridge that was built in 1882 by the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad that crossed over the James River.  In 1989, they were given a railroad jigger to run over the bridge an 8th of a mile east.  In 2004-2006, George and Virginia joined the Lewis & Clark Expeditions and enjoyed meeting with them during the Bicentennial celebration while they followed in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark.  George loved traveling and made trips to Europe, South America, Jamaica, and thru out many of the states.

In 1989 as executor of the Dick Paine Estate, George was instrumental in founding the Dick Paine Scholarship which is awarded each year to seniors of the Doland High School for academic achievement.

George was a loving and committed family man who held strong beliefs.  He endeavored to do what was right and when he took on a task he strived for perfection. Easy to laugh, he loved a good time and was often part of some practical joke.

Most importantly, George was a truly religious man and was a devout member of the Redeemer Lutheran Church of Doland.  George spread the word of Christ and believed, "he that believes that Jesus Christ died on the cross will have everlasting life."

Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Virginia of Frankfort, SD;  son Gregory Cluts, wife Julie of Watertown, SD; daughter Valerie Gonser, spouse Tom of Prior Lake, MN; daughter Jill Kaplan of Loxahatchee, FL; son Jeffery Cluts (friend Lana Cameron) of Doland, SD; and daughter Peggy  Gutowski, spouse Edward of Scranton, PA; Grandchildren: Jeffrey Cluts II, Christopher Cluts, Kaylee (Cluts) Baistian, Holly (Cluts) Borstad, Andrew Cluts, John Gonser, James Gonser, Michael Gonser, Aaron Kaplan, Shana Kaplan, Karla (Gutowski) Steven Leschinsky, Austin Gutowski, Michael (Ivy) Gutowski. Great grandchildren: Chase Cluts, Sophie Cluts, Ayden and Arria Baistian, Hailey and Lila Borstad, Lorelai and Lincoln Cluts, Thomas and Richard Gonser, Kollen Leschinsky. Sister, Leona (Cluts) Hink. Brother's-in-law's Russell Wagner and James Ryan (wife Rosalie), sisters-in-laws Barbara Cluts, Muriel Resick, and Marilyn Anderson, including 5 nephews and 12 nieces.

Preceding in death by his parents, brother John Cluts, and sisters Ardella (John) Furhman, Irene (Russell) Wagner, Vivian (Vern) Dement; Maynard and Vivian Juntunen, Elwood Resick, Mervin and Elizabeth Lowe, sister-in-law Laurel Ryan and nephews James Ryan, Steven Wagner, John Fuhrman, and niece Betty Wagner.

In lieu of flowers a memorial may be given to Redeemer Lutheran Church, Doland, SD  57436 or to the Gift of Life.