John Halbkat, 100, Lifelong resident of Webster, SD died Monday, Sept. 1, 2008 at Bethesda Home Webster.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 Sat. Sept. 6, 2008 at Christ The King Catholic Church Webster. Burial will be in Webster City Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 1-4 Friday, Sept. 5, at Coester Funeral Home Webster. Visitation will resume again from 6-8 at the church with a Prayer Service at 7 all at the church.

Casketbearers will be John F. Halbkat III, Mark Halbkat, Matthew Halbkat, Christopher Halbkat, Drake Halbkat, Dylan Halbkat, & Benjamin Halbkat.

Honorary Casketbearers will be Mary Keener, Meg Johsen, Colleen Lopressti, Kitty Fiegler, Kathryn Baker, Amy Lawson, & Jennifer Handke.

John Franklin Halbkat, Sr. was born on July 28, 1908 to Frank & Ethel (Walker) Halbkat in Webster, SD. He grew up in Webster and attended grade school and graduated from Webster High School. After graduation, he attended the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and then transferred to the University of Minnesota, where he graduated with a degree in business administration.

With degree in hand, he landed his first management position with a company stone in Beach, ND. There he met Marian Keohane and in 1934 they were married. They were then transferred to a larger store in Fargo, ND and they made their home there until 1936, at which time he left the company to return home to Webster to join his father in the drugstore business.

After his father's death in 1948, he continued operating the business until 1976, at which time he sold the business to his son, John F. Halbkat, Jr. in April, 1979, after 43 years of continuous service as a Webster businessman, he retired.

Aside from the enjoyment he received from his family, his other enjoyment in life was the community that supported he and his family. This can be seen through his ability to serve his community in whatever capacity he could, when asked. He showed his civic duty by serving 4 years on the Webster City Council, 9 years on the Webster Board of Education, President of the Webster Chamber of Commerce, President of Webster Kiwanis Club and Lt. Governor of Division 11 of Kiwanis in the Minnesota-Dakota District. While serving Kiwanis for over 55 years, he received the Life Member Award and the Legion of Honor Award. He still was helping counsel future Eagle Scouts on their government and civic duty requirements up to 3 years before his death. He was also a life long member of Christ The King Catholic Church.

Grateful for having shared his life are two sons; Jack (Mary) Halbkat, Webster, SD, Tom (Elaine) Halbkat, Omaha, NE, two daughters; Kathleen (Wayne) Fischer, Carefree, AZ, Mary Ellen Lawson, Sioux Falls, SD, 11 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren.

His parents; Frank & Ethel, wife; Marian, and one brother; Fred preceded him in death.

We Will all miss him!