Obituary: Leon Feterl

We are sad to report the death of Leon Feterl, who served as the 42nd president of the Farm Equipment Manufactures Association from 1993 to 1994.

Leon George Feterl, 79, Prior Lake, MN, formerly of Salem, died Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010, at McKenna Crossing Senior Care Facility, Prior Lake.

After serving in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953, he returned to Salem to operate Tony’s Welding Shop. In 1963, Mr. Feterl along with his brother, started Feterl Manufacturing. In 1994 he retired with more than 25 U.S. and international patents to his credit.

He was a member of Industrial Development Expansion Agency from 1971 to 1977; was named South Dakotan of the Year in 1972 by the University of South Dakota School of Business; Small Businessman of the Year in 1973 and South Dakota Man of the Month in 1974 by Business & Industry.

Memorials can be made with a preference for St. Mary, Help of Christians, P.O. Box 308, Salem, SD 57058 or the Alzheimer’s Association at ALZ.org.